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Academic Administration

Sabbatical Leave Proposal and Report Instructions

Sabbatical leaves as a form of professional development allow faculty members a concentrated period of time to conduct research, engage in creative endeavors, or participate in activities that enhance their teaching. Proposed projects need to have a focused purpose, and faculty applicants should have done preliminary research to assess scope and feasibility and include a fleshed-out plan of execution in the proposal. Complete sabbatical leave requests are generally submitted a year before the leave commences. However, under unusual circumstances when a research opportunity arises, a leave request may be submitted within a year before the leave begins. There are two application deadlines annually, December 1 and April 1.

The application must include the following information (single-spaced):

  • Date of application
  • Faculty name
  • Faculty unit
  • Project title
  • Semester(s)/year(s) affected

Proposal Outline– please answer the following in your proposal: (up to three single-spaced pages)

  1. Provide the basic information of the project:
    1. the title and purpose of your project
    2. methodology of your research
    3. literature review and working bibliography
    4. clear details (abstract or project outline) on your intended outcomes/deliverables to be completed at the end of the leave
    5. prospective venue(s) of display or publication
  2. How does your project work in concert with your faculty development plan?
  3. How will your project benefit students, your program/faculty unit, and yourself?
  4. Have you had professional development course releases in the last five years, including those with the CLT or other forms of release? If so, detail when and what they were used for.
  5. How will your request impact the ability of your program to cover its courses? Provide some options of how your courses may be covered.

  6. Please note that research and travel are funded by the applicant’s faculty unit. So, please include your budget to be approved by your dean.

    Submit this proposal with pertinent project details and information to your dean, and if your dean approves, the proposal must be accompanied by the dean’s approval letter when reaching the AAVP-Faculty office.

Reports upon Completing the Sabbatical Leave:

  • Upon completion of the sabbatical leave, the faculty member must submit a brief written report (1.5–2 single-spaced pages) to their dean and the AAVP-Faculty within the first semester of returning. The report should summarize the objectives outlined in the original sabbatical proposal, detail the accomplishments and results, and describe how the proposed outcomes and deliverables have, or not, been achieved at the conclusion of the leave. Relevant documents (such as submission confirmation, publication acceptance letter or contract) or drafts/chapters of manuscript should also accompany the report. This report must also be included in the academic year's annual faculty report and be part of the evaluation expectations.
  • The faculty shall also present the sabbatical's results and achievements at an FAC Forum. The presentation (15-20 minutes, including Q & A) should follow the format and standards of a typical scholarly presentation, focusing on objectives, activities, outcomes, and contributions of the sabbatical. Personal travel details or experiences unrelated to the scholarly purpose of the leave should not be included.