Leave of Absence/Sabbatical

Please Note: Follow the above link to the online version of the form. Click on the save icon on the toolbar to download the form to your computer. Use Adobe Acrobat to open, complete, and save the form so you can go back to it. Print the completed form and obtain appropriate signatures on the printed copy. Forward the signed copy of the form, with relevant supporting materials, to the Office of the Provost.

The Academic Leave of Absence/Sabbatical Request Form (PDF) is required for all requests for a leave of absence or sabbatical, including temporary disability leaves (medical leaves), maternity leaves and leaves under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) which are typically unpaid. It consists of three parts: the Faculty Request Form (PDF), Chair's Evaluation Form (PDF), and the Dean's Evaluation Form (PDF). Please note that long term disability leaves and benefits should be arranged as soon as it is determined that a faculty member will be disabled for a period longer than 6 months and through the Office of Personnel, Benefits Section.

Leave of Absence eligibility

A full-time faculty member shall receive a leave of absence of one semester or more without pay whenever the Provost, in consultation with the Dean, determines such leave is consistent with the teaching and administrative needs of the faculty member's department and school. Such leaves are generally for terms of one semester or one year. Faculty on leave without pay should consult with the University Personnel Office regarding the continuation of their various benefits.

Sabbatical eligibility

A faculty member must have served on a full-time basis for six consecutive years before he/she is eligible to apply for a sabbatical leave. Full-time faculty members may be granted a sabbatical leave in their seventh year at full compensation for one-semester, or half compensation for the full year. It is the responsibility of the Dean's Office to confirm the history of approved leaves of absence and sabbaticals and to ensure that the faculty member has met the requirements for sabbatical eligibility before forwarding the papers to the Faculty Actions Analyst in the Provost's Office. It is a requirement that faculty applying for a sabbatical leave must pursue external funding to support their project and list the funding agencies in their application to the Provost.

A leave of absence or sabbatical request denied by the Dean should still be forwarded to the Provost.

Except in extraordinary circumstances and by prior arrangement, acceptance of a sabbatical leave funded in any part by the University commits the faculty member to return to the University for a minimum of one year.

Upon returning from a sabbatical leave or leave of absence, the faculty member is expected to submit a statement to his/her Chair and Dean describing the activities and accomplishments during the leave. The report should be supported by any bibliographic or other evidence of the quality of the work accomplished when such evidence becomes available. The Dean should forward the report, along with an evaluation, to the Provost.

In order for the Leave of Absence/Sabbatical application to be complete, the following items are required:

All sections of each form MUST be completed. Areas that do not apply are to be marked "N/A." Please attach additional pages if more space is required.

A signed copy of the form will be returned to the Dean's Office as your administrative approval.

The candidate is to complete this form and sign on the appropriate line at the bottom of the page. In addition, the following supporting materials must be attached:

  • A description of the proposed project and a description of its professional benefits to the faculty member, the department, and the college/school.
  • One copy of each funding application. In order to be considered, sabbatical applications are expected to show evidence of a vigorous search for outside funding.
  • A current vita.

Following is a list of the data elements that must be completed on the Faculty Request form:

  1. Name
    Use the format last, first, middle initial.
  2. University Identification Number
    List the faculty UID number.
  3. Academic Year of Leave of Absence/Sabbatical
    Indicate the academic or calendar year for which the leave/sabbatical is proposed.
  4. School/Department
    List the academic unit and department name. Commonly used acronyms are acceptable.
  5. Rank/Title
    List the academic rank and/or title [see Academic Rank Codes, for a current list of valid rank codes].
  6. Duration of Proposed Leave of Absence
    Mark the appropriate box with an "X" indicating whether the LOA/SAB is for the Academic Year, Semester I or II, or the calendar year.
  7. Type of LOA/SAB
    Mark the appropriate box with and "X" indicating whether the LOA/SAB is with or without salary.
  8. Summary Description
    Indicate in the space provided, a brief abstract of the proposed plan.
  9. List of Agencies to Which Funding Application Have Been Submitted and/or Sources of Support for Sabbatical Leave
    Agency names must be spelled out; do not use acronyms.
  10. History of Approved LOA/SAB
    List the indicated details pertaining to all LOA/SAB's that were approved and indicate whether or not the LOA/SAB was taken.
  11. Initial Full-Time Appointment Date
    Since this date may determine a faculty member's eligibility for a sabbatical leave, it is important to indicate the accurate initial date of full-time faculty appointment.
  12. Year Tenure Granted
    Indicate year, if applicable; otherwise indicate "N/A."
  13. Tendure Track Faculty
    When requesting a leave of absence without salary, please check the box indicating whether or not deferral of the tenure review year is requested. If a deferral is being requested, please indicate the proposed tenure review year. Tenure track faculty are typically not considered for sabbatical leaves with pay.
  14. Signatures
    The requesting faculty member is to sign and date the form, and submit it along with the other components of the application to the department Chair.