Faculty and Staff Resources

One quarter to one year release from regular duties, to provide an opportunity for tenured faculty members to grow professionally over an extended and uninterrupted period. Sabbatical leaves are available to faculty members after six years of full-time equivalent service as regular faculty, and no more than once every six years. Compensation is affected by the length of the sabbatical leave. There is a competitive application process for sabbatical leaves.

Find it in your Faculty Handbook Section 2.17.4 SABBATICAL LEAVES

Sabbatical leaves are intended to enhance the academic quality of the University by providing the faculty member with an opportunity for professional growth over an extended and uninterrupted period. Such opportunities allow the faculty member to engage in full-time scholarly research, specialized study related to one's field, writing, participation in programs designed to improve teaching, or other scholarly activities.

The number of sabbatical leaves granted for any one academic year will be based on the academic feasibility of releasing the faculty member for the period requested and by the funds available for granting such leaves.

The Faculty Development Committee determines criteria and establishes procedures upon which it bases its decisions. Criteria include:

• The objectives as they relate to improving the instructional program and enhancing the professional development of the applicant;
• where other institutions are involved, evidence of acceptance of the faculty member's program or project by the institution offering advanced study or research;
• record of the faculty member's accomplishment of goals and objectives set forth in Academic Career Prospectus;
• previous leaves;
• distribution of applicants by academic area.

Eligibility

• A regular faculty member with tenure.
• A regular faculty member with six or more consecutive years of full-time equivalent service as a regular faculty member at Benedictine University.
• A sabbatical leave may be granted to the same person no more than once in any six years.

Compensation

A regular faculty member whose appointment is for two semesters per year may receive one semester of sabbatical leave at full salary for that term or two semesters leave at two-thirds of full annual appointment salary.

A regular faculty member whose appointment is for three quarters per year may receive one quarter of sabbatical leave at full salary for that quarter, two quarters leave at three-fourths salary for each of those quarters, or three quarters leave at two-thirds of full annual appointment salary.

Application and Decision

A regular faculty member may apply when eligible for sabbatical using the following procedure:

• The objectives of the sabbatical are to promote faculty development and to stimulate scholarship and teaching excellence at the University. It may include a detailed plan for formal study at an institution other than Benedictine University, full-time research, full-time writing or other experiences. Rationale for how the sabbatical will improve the quality of service of the faculty member should be stated. If a substantive work (article, book, artistic production, etc.) will result, it should be described.
• Eligible faculty developing a proposal for a sabbatical should follow guidelines issued by the Faculty Development Committee.
• The application must include a statement from the Department Chair and Dean supporting or opposing the sabbatical leave and detailing the need for replacement personnel.
• The application, including the proposal is due November 1. (See Proposal Guidelines, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs) Applications are submitted to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for academic affairs for consideration. Deadline for receipt of applications is no later than November 1 of the year prior to the academic year in which the leave would occur.
• The Faculty Development Committee will review applications, request information, and make its recommendation to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs no later than December 1.
• The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will make a final decision no later than December 15, notifying the Dean, Department Chair, and faculty member.

Acceptance of Sabbatical Leave

Accepting a sabbatical leave imposes certain obligations on the recipient and on the University as described herein.

Outside Employment

A faculty member on sabbatical leave may accept fees without special approval for a few lectures or a few days consulting. No substantial work for remuneration should be undertaken without prior approval of the Dean and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. However, a faculty member may accept a fellowship or grant provided the acceptance of such a stipend does not impose upon the recipient duties and obligations that would be incompatible with the purpose for which the sabbatical leave was granted.

Return to the University

A faculty member accepting a sabbatical leave agrees to remain in the service of the University for at least one year following completion of the sabbatical leave or to refund the full salary and institutional costs of fringe benefits received while on leave. If a faculty member returns, but fails to perform the full year return-to-service obligation, then his/her repayment obligation shall be prorated. Any repayment obligation shall be due in full, one calendar year after the end of the leave period or any subsequent, successive leave periods. A faculty member who cannot perform the return-to-service obligations due to death or permanent or total disability, shall be released of all repayment obligations.

Status of Appointment

Upon return from sabbatical leave, faculty members will be granted salary increases that were given during their leave. They shall maintain tenure, insurance, and all other accrued benefits. The leave time will be counted toward time in rank for purposes of promotion.

"Being in my painting studio with uninterrupted time for a whole year was like a young child being let loose in a toy store. My sabbatical helped to reestablish my sense of legitimacy as an aspiring fine artist. I also discovered I had more confidence when I returned to teaching." — Bill Scarlato

"Having a sabbatical gave me an opportunity to not only devote structured time to my research project, but it also provided me with a much needed break from teaching. I am more refreshed and excited about my classes than I have been in a while." — Tammy Sarver