SABBATICAL LEAVE
Effective: August 15, 2024
Purpose: Sabbatical leave with pay is designed to improve the professional competencies of University faculty.
Scope: This policy applies to all tenured faculty across campus.
Responsible Office: Academic Affairs
Policy Statement: Only tenured faculty members or administrators are eligible to request sabbatical leave. All leave requests are judged on the merits of the application, time limitations, and faculty priorities.
The applicant must have completed at least twelve (12) consecutive semesters (fall and spring) of full-time service to the University with the rank of Instructor or above prior to the time of the sabbatical leave. Service shall be deemed consecutive if interrupted by leave (e.g., sick leave, administrative leave, etc.) for one or more semesters, but the semester(s) on leave does not count in calculating the service requirement. Ordinarily, for purposes of this policy only, a semester is defined as at least twelve (12) weeks.
A faculty member who is granted and who utilizes sabbatical leave may be granted another sabbatical leave after completion of at least twelve (12) consecutive semesters (fall and spring) of full-time continuous service to the University following the termination of the preceding sabbatical leave. In the event a faculty member is granted sabbatical leave and is unable to utilize it, their failure to do so will not disqualify them from submitting another application the following year.
Leave will not be granted for a period of less than one (1) semester nor a period of more than one (1) year, with the reimbursement being made according to the following schedule:
- A faculty member on nine (9)-month appointment will receive up to half pay for an academic year, or up to full pay for one (1) semester.
- A faculty member on twelve (12)-month appointment will receive up to half pay for eleven (11) months, or up to full pay for five (5) months.
Sabbatical leave will not ordinarily be granted to enable the faculty member or administrator to accept other employment. This does not preclude the acceptance of employment, whatever the compensation, consistent with the conditions of the application, provided such employment significantly advances the applicant's skills in their normal duties at the University. A scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship carrying a stipend for the support of study and research is not considered employment.
An individual who receives sabbatical leave must agree in writing to return to the service of the University for a period of at least one (1) year immediately following the expiration of the period of leave. Persons failing to return to ESU will refund all sabbatical pay. Those who fail to remain for the full year of service will refund that portion of their sabbatical pay represented by the portion of the year they fail to serve. Any repayment will be made within two (2) years of the termination of service to the University.
It is the responsibility of the recipient to inform the Vice President for Academic Affairs of any change in the proposed program or financial support during the period of their sabbatical leave.
When an individual returns from sabbatical leave, they must make a written report to the academic unit’s administrative supervisor regarding the nature of the studies, research, or the work undertaken while on leave. The academic unit’s administrative supervisor will provide copies to appropriate administrative offices.
Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.
Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.
[Academic Affairs Procedures - coming soon]
Related Policy Information: 3.18 – Vacation Leave; 4.04 - Tenure