Peer University Sabbatical Policies

Georgia State University
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Duties must include teaching, research, administration, and/or the performance of professional services in order to be eligible. Preference is given to tenured or associate professors who have at least six years of full-time service. Cannot create undue hardship on other faculty member or unduly limit course offering. Does not affect promotion or tenure eligibility if minimum years in rank have been achieved or probationary period for the award of tenure has been completed. Sabbatical leave request must be approved in the following order: Department chair, Dean, Provost, VP for Academic Affairs. If the request is for more than one semester, the Board of Regents must give final approval. Requests must include a prospectus of projected research or scholarly activity. A summary report must be submitted within three months of return. If paid full salary during sabbatical, faculty must return to the University for a period of at least two academic years. If paid half salary, must return for at least one academic year. Compensation during the sabbatical could be forfeited if this stipulation is not fulfilled.

State University of New York, Albany and Buffalo
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Sabbatical leaves will be granted for planned travel, study, formal education, research, writing, or other experience of professional value. Academic employees having continuing appointments and college administrative officers who have completed at least six consecutive years of service within the University are eligible for sabbatical leave. Sabbatical leave requests must be approved in the following order: Department chair, Dean, Provost, VP for Academic Affairs, and Campus President. Requests must be submitted by October 15 th for the following academic year. Request must include 1) a sabbatical leave request form, 2) One to two page statement of scholarly activities, outcomes, and importance to the University and applicant’s professional development; 3) statement of any income other than salary while on leave, 4) current vitae, and 5) where applicable, sabbatical history. A summary report of activities must be submitted no later than the end of the first full semester after return from leave. Recipients are obligated to return to the University for a minimum of one year after leave.

Syracuse University
Compensation: Most leaves are without pay or benefits. Faculty members who have served the University of several years and who give unusual promise of using the leave to scholarly advantage, may be recommended for one semester leave at full salary or one academic year leave at half salary.
Policy: Faculty members holding regular appointments may apply for research leaves for scholarly research, study, or creative activity. Leaves will be considered for one semester  or one academic year, with possible consideration for a two-year leave in extenuating circumstances. A recipient may not accept gainful employment during a sabbatical leave. The teaching load of the person on leave must be able to be omitted or handed over to other faculty without detriment to the instructional program or the students. Sabbatical leave requests must be approved by Department chair, Dean, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Board of Trustees. Applications must be submitted to department chairs by October 15 th for academic year and fall semester leaves to begin the following September, and before February 15 for spring semester leaves to begin the following January. Decisions for approval will be based on contributions to the professional effectiveness of faculty members, best interests of the University, length of time since the previous leave, duration of leave, the disruption of teaching and other professional commitments, and an equitable distribution of leaves in a given year throughout all of the University faculties. Whether leave time shall count toward tenure or time-in-grade for promotion purposes shall be governed in each case by the recommendation of the Dean, VC for Academic Affairs, the Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees at the time leave is granted. Faculty members shall submit a summary report to their dean and the VC for Academic Affairs within thirty days of returning from leave.

University of Connecticut
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Full-time resident teachers who have at least the rank of assistant professor or a corresponding rank, and who have been in continuous full-time service for at least six years at the institution are eligible for sabbatical leave. Faculty members are not eligible for leave before the last year of their probationary periods. Faculty members are eligible for leave again after six years of continuous full-time service from the last sabbatical. The applicant should file a written application accompanied by a statement as to how the leave is to be used. Leave requests must be approved by Department chair, Dean, Chancellor, Provost, and the Board of Trustees. All applications must be submitted at least one year prior to the date when the leave is to begin. Sabbaticals will not be granted if they will be taken at the expense of the students or of the regular departmental program. The grant of leave does not change the tenure status of the recipient. The recipient will return to the same rank, but the Board cannot guarantee the same compensation or duties due to change in enrollment, financial exigencies, or other circumstances beyond its control. Faculty members are obligated to return to the University for a minimum of one year. A written report is due to the Dean after return from leave.

University of Cincinnati
Compensation: (UC is on the quarter system) After four years of full-time service, one quarter at full salary or ½ year at half salary; after six years, three quarters at half salary or ½ year at ¾ salary; after eight years, ½ year at full salary or three quarters at 2/3 salary.
Policy: Only those employees at the rank of Assistant Dean or above are eligible for sabbaticals. Requests must be submitted to Dean by October 1 st of the year preceding in which the leave is intended to begin. Tenure track, salary increases, and promotions are not affected by sabbaticals. Employees may be required to return to the University for at least one academic year following the leave.

University of Iowa
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave. However, 9-month employees can only take semester leave, while 12-month employees can apply for a full academic year leave.
Policy: Sabbaticals are a competitive program designed to encourage scientific inquiry, research, artistic creation, and innovation in teaching. Each semester assignment is expected to result in at least one product for publication, exhibit, professional performance, or instructional use. Sabbaticals are granted on merit (applicant’s achievements and potential promise of the proposed activity) instead of “mechanical” considerations (faculty rank, length of service, number of publications, etc.). Full-time faculty members who have completed a minimum of five years are eligible. Service at other colleges or universities may be counted toward the required time at the Provost’s discretion. Applications must be approved by Department Chair and Dean, and then evaluated by advisory committees appointed by the Provost or College. The application is due to the Department Chair by September 13th , to the Dean by September 20th , and to the Provost by October 7th the preceding year. Faculty members must agree to return to the University for at least twice the length of the award period. A report is due (with very specific deadlines and specific forms—Cover, Abstract form, Products and Outcomes Summary form) to the Provost’s office shortly after return. There are also many faculty fellowships and awards that are available.

University of Kansas
Compensation: Nine-month employees granted either academic year at half salary or one semester (4½ months) at full salary; twelve-month employees granted eleven months at half salary or five months at full salary.
Policy: Full-time faculty members on regular appointment who have served continuously for six years or longer are eligible for sabbatical. Sabbaticals are never automatic for a faculty member—they must be earned. Sabbaticals are granted solely on the basis of merit of the applicant and the applicant’s proposal, on the recommendation of the University Committee on Sabbatical Leaves and with the approval of the Executive Vice Chancellor, Chancellor, and Board of Regents. Requests must include application form, vitae, supporting materials and statement of objectives of leave. Application must have endorsement of department chair and Dean, and reach the Office of Academic Affairs no later than November 1st of the year preceding the academic year for which leave is desired.Leave will not be granted to a faculty member who will have less than two years to serve after the leave before reaching mandatory retirement age. Employees are required to return to service at the University for two years following the completion of leave. If an employee fails to return or to remain in service for the specified time, remuneration will be made to the University as a proportion of the leave salary equal to the proportion of time not served. A brief report must be filed with the Office of Academic Affairs within 90 days of returning from leave.

University of Kentucky
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Faculty members who have full-time non-tenured or tenured appointments in the regular, special title, extension, or librarian series with the rank of assistant professor or higher are eligible for sabbaticals after six years of continuous service in the rank of instructor or higher at the University. All sabbaticals must be approved by the University President. A recipient may not accept gainful employment during a sabbatical leave. Employees must agree to continue service at the University for at least one academic year after leave.

University of Louisville
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Tenured faculty members who have six contract years of full-time service at the University may petition for a sabbatical. Applications for leave must be approved by the Dean, Provost, and University President. No leave will be granted without the guarantee of at least one year of continued full-time service after return from leave.

University of Missouri
Compensation: Half salary
Policy: All regular faculty members are eligible for sabbatical leave after six or more years of service. In special circumstances, nonregular faculty may be considered eligible. Leaves may be taken for up to one year. A report on sabbatical  accomplishments must be filed with the Chancellor upon return from leave. Faculty members granted sabbatical leaves must state their intention to return for a least one year at the end of leave.

University of New Mexico
Compensation: After three years, one semester at 2/3 salary; After six years, one semester at full salary or one academic year at 2/3 salary or a January through December year at 1/3 salary.
Policy: Sabbaticals are available to any faculty member with tenure or to any faculty member in the last year of the probationary period for whom a favorable decision has been reached with regard to tenure. As part of the application, the faculty member shall present evidence of recent sound research, creative activity, or other academic achievement, including publications, to support the program of work which is planned for the sabbatical period. It is not granted to subsidize work on advanced degrees. The regular staff of the department must be able to absorb the teaching load of the individual on leave. The Department Chairs or Dean must present a plan in this regard with each recommendation for sabbatical. Primary responsibility for determining the merit of an application lies with a departmental committee. The Chair shall forward to the Dean the departmental evaluation together with the chair’s recommendation and a statement as to how the teaching obligations will be achieved in the event the proposal is approved. The application must reach the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs by February 1st for the fall semester of that year, and by October 1st for leave spring semester of the following year. The Vice President and President of the University then make the final decision. While on sabbatical, the University will continue to pay its share toward retirement, insurance, and SSI. Faculty members must return to the University for at least as long as the duration of the leave. A full report of the research, creative work, publications, etc. is due upon return to the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.

University of Oklahoma
Compensation: Nine-month employees may be granted full salary for one semester or half salary for one academic year after six years; twelve-month employees may be granted full salary for up to six months and half salary up to twelve months.
Policy: Sabbatical leaves will be granted for: Research on significant problems and issues; important creative or descriptive work; postdoctoral study at another institution to update teaching skills; or other projects that will enhance the faculty member’s ability to contribute to the objectives of the University. Sabbaticals are not granted for the purpose of pursuing work on the terminal degree in the person’s academic field. Applications must be submitted by February 1st for sabbaticals beginning the following fall and by July 15th for sabbaticals beginning the following spring. The Dean will send the applications, ranked in order of merit, to the appropriate Senior Vice President and the Provost. These two, with advice from the Council on Faculty Awards and Honors, will recommendations to the President who, in turn, will make recommendations to the Regents at the April and September meetings. Approval will depend on the ability of the applicant’s college to absorb the financial obligation and the college’s ability to provide teaching without loss of quality. Leave will not jeopardize salary consideration; in fact, the report on the sabbatical will be used in consideration for merit raises in subsequent years. Faculty members will continue to receive benefits during leave. The recipient must return to the University for one year following the sabbatical or to remit the salary and cost of benefits received from the University during the sabbatical leave, unless this requirement is waived by the President. Within two months of returning from leave, the faculty member shall submit a report of activities undertaken.

University of Pittsburgh
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Tenured associate professors or professors with at least six years of full-time service are eligible to apply for a sabbatical. Sabbatical leaves are available for Librarians with the same terms and expectations as the Faculty. Individuals who are granted sabbatical leaves are not to accept teaching assignments at other institutions. The granting of sabbaticals depends on the availability of funds and the school or department’s ability to maintain necessary teaching schedules. The applications must have the endorsement of the Department Chair, Dean, and the Provost, and are approved by the Chancellor. The application must include a prospectus of the projected activity and the requested time period of the leave. Applications must be submitted—with the Chair and Dean’s endorsements—by December 1st of the academic year preceding the desired period of leave.

University of Rhode Island
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: A member of the faculty who has serve full-time for at least six years, who has the rank of assistant professor or above, and who has tenure is eligible for sabbatical leave. Provision for the cost of sabbatical leave shall be made in departmental budgets. Faculty members are permitted to receive travel expenses, fellowships, grants, or other financial assistance form sources other than the University; however, they cannot receive pay for employment that will increase their compensation to above that of his/her normal professional income. Applications for sabbaticals must be made 16 months in advance of the academic year for which the leave is requested. The application must have the approval of the Provost and the President of the University. Recipients must agree to return to the University for at least one year after end of leave. For administrative faculty, leave shall be calculated for one month of leave for every year of service.

University of South Carolina
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Tenured associate and full professors who have completed six or more years of service are eligible for sabbatical leave. Awards are based on seniority and merit. At no time shall more than ten percent of a department, school, or college be on leave. The granting of sabbaticals is also dependent upon budget, workload, and other administrative considerations. Annual leave is not accrued during sabbaticals. Faculty members must complete a formal sabbatical leave request form and submit it to the department chair or Dean at least one year before leave is expected to begin. Faculty members must agree to return to their current positions for at least one year after leave ends. Within three months of completing leave, a faculty member must submit a written report detailing the member’s accomplishments during the leave. The department chair or Dean shall forward this report, with a written evaluation of whether adequate use was made of the leave, to the Provost. If the Chair/Dean and Provost determine that the member has made inadequate use of the leave, the member may be required to repay all or part of the money received from the University while on leave.

University of South Florida
Compensation: Full salary for one semester leave; half salary for academic year leave.
Policy: Sabbaticals are granted to increase the faculty member’s value to the University through enhanced opportunities for professional renewal, planned travel, study, foreign education, research, writing, or other professional experience. Sabbaticals are not a reward for service. Full-time tenured faculty members with at least six years of full-time service are eligible for sabbaticals. The Office of Academic Affairs sends a memorandum to all eligible faculty calling for sabbatical applications to be submitted once a year. Applications are then submitted directly to the Office of Academic Affairs, with just a confirmation that the chair and dean have been notified that the application was made. A Sabbatical Committee, composed of tenured faculty, recommends approval of the applications based on the specificity and cogency of each application, equitable distribution of sabbaticals among colleges and departments, and eligibility requirements. Benefits will continue on a basis proportional to the salary received, and annual and sick leave continue to accrue during leave. Faculty members on sabbatical leave shall be eligible for promotion and a salary increases. Recipients must return to the University for at least one academic year following the end of their leave. Upon conclusion of the sabbatical, faculty must provide a brief written report on their accomplishments.

University of Tennessee
Compensation: Normally no compensation. However, the Chancellor and Vice President can award “grants” to full-time faculty with at least two years of service within their administrative jurisdictions to help defray the recipient’s direct education expenses. These grants are subject to SS and federal income taxes.
Policy: Leaves granted for up to two years. Applications must be approved by department head, Dean, and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Recipients are required to return to the University for at least two months of full-time service for each month of grant awarded.

University of Utah
Compensation: A designated percentage of an annual salary depending on the length of the leave granted by the Board of Trustees.
Policy: Sabbaticals are granted for the purpose of research and writing in the recipient’s field of specialization; regular attendance at classes or laboratories of a university or institution of higher learning; pursuance of an advanced degree in the recipient’s field of specialization; or other specifically defined purposes which would clearly further the academic objectives of the faculty member, department, and university. A faculty member holding regular academic rank is eligible after six full years of service at the University. An application must have the endorsement of the department chairperson and dean, and is forwarded on for final action by the Board of Trustees. Faculty on sabbatical leave continue to receive and accrue benefits as if they were in active University service, except that payments for insurance premiums and retirementcontributions will be based on actual compensation paid during the leave and not upon the budgeted salary for the position. A report of activities and the extent to which the purposes of the approved leave were met is to be filed with the appropriate Vice President and Dean at the conclusion of the sabbatical. Recipient must return to the University for a period of time at least equal to the length of the leave. If not, the University will be entitled to a proportionate refund of the compensation paid during leave.

University of Wisconsin
Compensation: One semester at full salary or one academic year at up to 65% salary.
Policy: All tenured faculty members who have completed six or more years of full-time instructional service are eligible. Part-time faculty members have the same eligibility as full-time, but leave will be based upon the percentage of their faculty appointment. Leaves of absence will be excluded in determining a faculty member’s years of full-time service. Preference is given to those making significant contributions to teaching and who have not had a leave of absence, regardless of reason, in the previous four years. A faculty member granted a full year’s leave cannot convert the leave to one-semester; however, a faculty member who is awarded an one-semester leave may request conversion to a full-year leave. Applications should describe the details and specific purpose of the leave, how it will benefit the individual and the institution, and when and where the individual will carry out the activities described in the application. A one-paragraph abstract of the proposal, the length of leave requested, and a vitae must also be included. Applications must be submitted by both hard copy and disk. The departmental Executive Committee will review the application and make a recommendation including the merit of each application and the department’s replacement plan. After the Dean’s approval and certification of eligibility, the application will be sent to the Provost in ranked order. The Provost will select the number of applications to be sent to the Administration determined by the replacement funding available. Since faculty members on one-semester leaves remain on full salary, they will receive full retirement credit during their leave. Faculty on one-year sabbaticals may receive full credit, but it is not guaranteed.

Wayne State University
Compensation: Not stated.
Policy: Nine-month professors are eligible for semester or academic year sabbaticals. Twelve-month professors can apply for either 4.5-month or 9-month sabbaticals. Faculty members must submit an application describing their project, including the present state of knowledge in the area of their project, the methods they will employ in their research, and the contribution they expect to make in their field. They must also submit written answers to the following questions: What is the value of your project to your professional career and the University? What publications or professional activities have you been involved in that are relevant to this proposal? Where to you plan to carry on your project and why? Are there any pending grants and/or fellowships which you will use for support during your sabbatical?During their leave, recipients are not allowed to work for compensation in any area unrelated to their sabbatical project or perform any service for compensation unless it is approved in advance by the Provost. The recipient will return to service at the University for at least two semesters after the leave, and will submit a written report to the extent to which they have achieved the purpose for which the leave was granted at the conclusion of the leave.

Western Michigan University
Compensation: One semester at full salary; unpaid up to two years.
Policy: Faculty members must have completed four years of full-time service in their current position to be eligible for leave at full salary or two years of full-time service for unpaid leaves. Applications are accepted and approved by the appropriate vice president. Benefits are contingent upon amount of time granted for the leave. One full year of service is required after the leave is completed.

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