Sabbaticals, Leaves, and Reductions in Load

The general purpose of a sabbatical leave program is to enable faculty to pursue scholarly/creative activity in their discipline, or to retrain in fresh areas of academic activity or develop significant curricular objectives that go beyond the scope of normal faculty endeavors. As a result, it is of great importance that faculty engage in a thoughtful and thorough planning process while completing the application process. All sabbatical projects will be reviewed for approval based on the quality and significance of the project, the likelihood of being completed, relevance to teaching/scholarship, past sabbatical productivity, and availability of funding.

• Sabbatical Leave Information and Procedures 
• Sabbatical Leave Application Form
• External Sabbatical Funding Opportunities 
• Faculty Salaries and Benefits while on a Grant-Funded Leave 

1. Faculty complete the Sabbatical Application Form linked above by November 1.

2. The form routes first to the Chair for signature, and then to the Dean for review. The Dean reviews focusing on one or more of the following;

• The effect that the proposed activities will have on the faculty members teaching and/or professional growth
• The effect that the proposed activities will have on the faculty members' scholarship
• The effect that the proposed activities will have on the delivery of the curriculum
• Review of applications and reports from previous sabbatical leaves
• The estimated cost for replacement during the sabbatical leave

3. At any time during the Dean review, the faculty member may modify the proposal to address concerns and/or strengthen the proposal (Note: once the proposal is submitted to the Provost, the proposal cannot be modified).

4. The Dean advances the application to the Provost around December 8 (exact date listed on the Faculty Deadlines page.

5. Faculty will be notified on or before February 15 during the academic year prior to their leave of the decision. If a sabbatical is denied or deferred, a written explanation will be provided.