Sabbatical leaves provide faculty with opportunities for professional development, scholarly pursuits, and professional and intellectual renewal. 

It is expected that these activities will result in:  (1) improved teaching and professional performance, (2) enhanced research and/or artistic activities, and (3) a renewed capacity for service to the University and the community. 

Eligibility

Tenured faculty members who have completed at least six years of continuous service at the University are eligible for consideration for sabbatical leave.  A faculty member may elect to use one full academic year, nine months, at one-half salary or may choose one semester of sabbatical leave at full salary for that semester.  If the one-semester option is taken, the remaining semester of the sabbatical year may not be applied to the accumulation of the six years of service that is required before eligibility is gained for the next sabbatical leave of absence.  If an eligible faculty member is approved for a sabbatical leave of absence in the summer, that faculty member will receive the usual pay for teaching full loads both terms of summer school.  The University will contribute its full share of established benefits for all of the above options.

Application 

Written application for sabbatical leave must be presented to the Academic Development, Research and Special Projects Committee by the deadline established by the Committee for all requests for sabbatical leave for the following calendar year, including spring, summer and fall semesters.  The application must be made on forms provided by the Academic Development, Research and Special Projects Committee. The application shall include a detailed description of the proposed activities during the leave period and the ways these activities will contribute to the faculty member's professional development and to the improvement of the University's academic program. 

Administration

Written application for sabbatical leave must be submitted to the Academic Development, Research and Special Projects Committee, along with appropriate recommendations from the department chair and dean.  When approval is recommended by the chair and dean, an explanation shall be furnished stating what arrangements are contemplated and what budget adjustments will be required to maintain the departmental program during the applicant's absence.  Sabbaticals will be awarded on the basis of the merit of the proposals; seniority will be a factor in considering proposals of equal merit because, presumably, the need for renewal is greatest among those with the longest terms of service.  The Academic Development, Research and Special Projects Committee will make recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for endorsement.  Final approval by the President and Board of Trustees is required. 

Terms of Leave

A recipient of sabbatical leave must agree to return to the service of the University for one academic year after completion of the leave.

Within three months after the conclusion of the leave, the faculty member shall provide in reasonable detail a summary of sabbatical activities and an assessment of the extent to which the sabbatical experiences contributed to professional development.  This report is submitted in writing to the faculty member's supervisor, the Academic Development, Research and Special Projects Committee and to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  This written report will constitute a major portion of the faculty member's evaluation for the period of the leave.

Implementation

Faculty who also serve as chair, or who are in small departments, or who teach in highly specialized areas, should review with their dean the feasibility of a sabbatical prior to making written application.  Sabbatical leave may be denied when the absence of the candidate for the leave will seriously impair the interests of the University.