Purpose. The primary purpose of sabbatical leave is for the enrichment of the academic life of the College through either development of the professional expertise of the Faculty member or enhancement of the educational program of the College. Therefore proposals having the greatest potential for institutional development through these means receive priority.
A sabbatical leave is granted as a means of refreshing and enhancing the professional capabilities of the Faculty member for future service. In accepting a sabbatical leave, a Faculty member thus accepts an obligation to return to duties at the College upon completion of the leave. Members of the Faculty going on sabbatical leave must reimburse the College for any financial burden on the College directly related to the leave if they do not return to the College for a period of at least one year.
Eligibility. A sabbatical leave is granted only to full-time, tenured Faculty members, usually only after six years of full-time service to the College since initial hiring or the year of any previous sabbatical leave. A Faculty member is eligible for only one sabbatical leave during any seven-year period. The provision of a sabbatical leave is dependent upon resources available; therefore, such leave is granted on a competitive basis. Typically, no more than one Faculty member per department may be granted leave during a given semester. Exceptions may be appropriate but require compelling justification and more detailed planning.
Each fall the Provost’s office develops a list of tenured Faculty members who are eligible to apply that year for a sabbatical in the following year. Sabbatical proposals are accepted from any Faculty member on that list without regard to the number of years the Faculty member has been on the list.
Terms. A sabbatical leave may be granted for one semester or for a full year. A Faculty member on sabbatical leave for one semester receives full pay and benefits and is expected to teach a normal load in the other semester during the academic year. A Faculty member on a full-year sabbatical leave receives half pay and full medical and life insurance benefits, though FICA and retirement benefits are based on the reduced salary. A Faculty member on sabbatical leave is considered to be a continuing member of the Hendrix faculty.
It is expected that a Faculty member will be devoted full time to the project for which the sabbatical leave has been granted. Faculty members are encouraged to seek outside grant support for the period of the sabbatical, but any activity undertaken for remuneration, such as teaching or consulting, requires prior approval by the Committee on Faculty. Such approval may be withheld if the proposed activity would significantly impede completion of the sabbatical project.
Faculty members may apply for a Faculty project grant for the sabbatical period. See Appendix 6 for Business Office guidelines for grants.
Process. A written application for a sabbatical leave must be submitted to the Provost by the date that appears on the fall calendar to be considered for the next academic year. (A form for the applicant can be found online at Faculty Resources.) During deliberations, the Committee on Faculty may discuss the proposal with the Department Chair for an understanding of benefits and costs involved. The Committee on Faculty makes a recommendation to the President. Decisions are announced by the President before January 1. Faculty members who apply for but do not receive a sabbatical grant should first contact the Committee on Faculty to request reconsideration of the decision. If the issue is not resolved or clarified to the satisfaction of the faculty member, the Faculty member may challenge the decision through the regular faculty grievance policy.
Upon return from sabbatical leave, the Faculty member is expected to submit to the Committee on Faculty a brief written report describing the results and benefits of the leave.