Florida Gulf Coast University
Sabbatical Guidelines
Key: If it is shaded it is bargaining or Memorandum of Understanding language
that cannot be changed.
Philosophy
Sabbatical leave of absence is an important component of faculty development and institutional
excellence. Through the use of sabbaticals, teaching effectiveness may be enhanced, scholarly
endeavors enriched, and academic programs developed and strengthened. Sabbaticals provide faculty
with opportunities for continued professional growth and new, or renewed, intellectual achievement
through study, research, writing, and travel.
It is essential that sabbaticals be used to foster faculty growth and development. It is a time to expand on
scholarly enrichment, to improve teaching effectiveness, to foster curricular and course development
and/or to enhance artistic performance and creative growth.
Faculty members are accountable for their activities while on sabbatical. Upon return, faculty submit a
final report that evaluates the achievement of sabbatical leave goals and summarizes the project
outcomes. Accountability is assessed through goal achievement and documented completion of
sabbatical project.
Sabbaticals
Sabbaticals for professional development are to be made available to employees who meet the
requirements set forth below. Such sabbaticals are granted to increase an employee's value to the
university through enhanced opportunities for professional renewal, planned travel, study, formal
education, research, writing, or other experience of professional value, not as a reward for service. This
is a right of faculty granted through Article 22 in the BOR-UFF Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Types of Sabbaticals
(1) The university will make available to each employee whose application has been reviewed by the
university, a sabbatical for two (2) semesters (i.e., one (1) academic year) at half-pay, subject to the
conditions set forth below. Each university may, with the approval of the local UFF Chapter, provide
sabbaticals that are equivalent to the two (2) semester half-pay sabbaticals.
(2) Each year, the university will make available at least one (1) sabbatical at full pay for one (1) semester
for each forty (40) eligible employees, subject to the conditions set forth below. Each university may,
with the approval of the local UFF Chapter, provide sabbaticals that are equivalent to the one (1)
semester, full pay, sabbaticals provided to that university
Eligibility
Full-time tenured employees or full-time FGCU employees who are serving in multi-year appointments as
assistant professor, associate professor, or professor with at least six (6) years of full-time service within
the State University System shall be eligible for sabbaticals, if the terms of a contract or grant through
which such an employee may be compensated allows for such sabbaticals. Full-time service shall be
construed as full-time contractual service of either tenure, tenure-earning service, or multi-year
appointment service. Years in the SUS accrued through visiting or one-year appointment status shall not
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count toward eligibility for sabbaticals. Years in service by faculty in administrative roles should be
addressed at such time as they return to general faculty status.
Required Items for Sabbatical Application
1. A statement describing the program and activities to be followed while on sabbatical.
2. A statement on the expected increase in value of the employee to the University and
the candidate's academic discipline. That statement should include the following
information: A description of
o
The nature, history, and projected completion date of the project.
o
Applicant’s professional preparation for this project and his or her scholarly or other significant
contributions already made in the activity for which application is made.
o
The significance of the project to the applicant's field, written duty assignments, and his or her
increased effectiveness as a teacher and scholar.
o
All support agencies, cooperating institutions, targeted research facilities or field research areas,
and any other forms of financial support expected during the sabbatical leave.
3. A statement on the specific results anticipated from the leave.
4. A statement that the candidate agrees to comply with the conditions of the
sabbatical program as described in the CBA (Terms of Sabbatical).
5. A statement of the measurable benefits to the candidate and the University. This
statement should link the candidate's projected achievements while on sabbatical to
those of the mission of his or her College and to the mission of the University.
6. A current vita with a listing of publications and other significant professional
achievements, assignments for the last three years, and courses taught for the last
three years.
7. If applying for a half-pay sabbatical the applicant should follow the processes above,
but add a statement describing any anticipated supplementary income and a
statement that the applicant agrees to comply with the conditions of the sabbatical
program outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
Note: Candidates may include other statements and materials, which further demonstrate their
particular needs for sabbaticals. Those statements and materials should be linked directly to the
professional standards and requirements of his or her field and to the particular needs of his or her
College and the University. Appropriate documentation and letters of support should accompany
each applicant's request for sabbatical.
Sabbatical Committee Selection Process
If there are more applicants for one (1) semester sabbatical at full pay than available sabbaticals, a
committee shall rank the applicants. The committee shall be comprise of full-time employees with at least
six (6) years of full-time teaching experience in a 4-year accredited college, university, or other degreeApproved by Faculty Senate 1-30-01
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granting institution of higher learning. The electorate shall be comprised of the faculty meeting the same
criteria. The committee is comprised of one faculty member (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or
Professor rank) elected from each College, and one Faculty Senate representative elected by the Senate
at large. Sabbatical committee members are not eligible for sabbatical while serving on the committee.
The committee chairperson shall be selected by the University President or his or her representative. The
committee, in ranking the applicants, shall consider the benefits of the proposed program to the
employee, the university and the profession; an equitable distribution of sabbaticals among colleagues,
divisions, schools, departments, and disciplines within the university; the length of time since the
employee was relieved of teaching duties for the purpose of research and other scholarly activities; and
length of service since previous sabbatical or initial appointment. The committee shall submit a ranked
list of recommended employees to the President or representative. The President or representative shall
make appointments from the list and consult with the committee prior to an appointment that does not
follow the committee's ranking.
If staffing needs are such that eligible faculty from the same unit submit more applications for twosemester sabbaticals at half-pay than can be accommodated, the Sabbatical committee shall recommend
a ranking of candidates to the unit head, based on the same criteria as above. Faculty denied sabbaticals
solely due to staffing considerations shall be given opportunity to take the sabbatical the following year, or
at a later time as agreed to by the employee and the university, in accordance with CBA.
Terms of Sabbatical Program
(1) While on sabbatical, the employee's salary shall be one half-pay for two (2) semesters (one (1)
academic year), or full pay for one semester.
(2) The employee must return to the university for at least one (1) academic year following participation in
the program. Agreements to the contrary must be reduced to writing prior to participation. Return to
the university of salary received during the program may be required in those instances where neither
of the above is satisfied.
(3) The employee must, within thirty (30) days upon returning from the sabbatical,
provide a concise written report of the employee's accomplishments during the
sabbatical to the President or representative. This report shall include information
regarding the activities undertaken during the sabbatical, the results accomplished
during the sabbatical as they affect the employee and the university, and research or
other scholarly work produced or expected to be produced as a result of the
sabbatical.
(4) Employees shall not normally be eligible for a second sabbatical until six (6) years of continuous
service are completed following the first.
(5) Contributions normally made by the Board to retirement and Social Security programs shall be
continued on a basis proportional to the salary received. Board contributions normally made to
employee insurance programs and any other employee benefit programs shall be continued during
the sabbatical.
(6) Eligible employees shall continue to accrue annual and sick leave on a full-time basis during the
sabbatical.
(7) While on leave, an employee shall be permitted to receive funds for travel and living expenses, and
other sabbatical-related expenses, from sources other than the university such as fellowships,
grants-in-aid, and contracts and grants, to assist in accomplishing the purposes of the sabbatical.
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Receipt of funds for such purposes shall not result in reduction of the employee's university salary.
Grants for such financial assistance from other sources may, but need not, be administered through
the university (effective 7/1/01). If financial assistance is received in the form of salary, the university
salary shall normally be reduced by the amount necessary to bring the total income of the sabbatical
period to a level comparable to the employee's current year salary rate. Employment unrelated to the
purpose of the sabbatical leave is governed by the provisions of Article 19, Conflict of Interest And
Outside Activity.
Employment during a sabbatical
Full pay sabbatical
A faculty member who selects a full pay sabbatical is at 1.0 FTE for the
sabbatical term. The employee is therefore, governed by Article 19 of the
bargaining agreement between the Board of Regents and the United Faculty of
Florida. Salary for outside employment that is acceptable pursuant to Article19
may result in a reduction of the University salary to bring the total income to a
level comparable to the employee’s normal salary. Consideration will be given
should the outside employment be a result of the purposes of the sabbatical
leave. Under this condition the Provost may waive the reduction.
Half-pay sabbatical
A faculty member who selects a half-pay sabbatical may receive salary from
grants or contracts at a level that would make total compensation equal to the
faculty member’s normal salary. In order for the faculty member to use
grant/contract funds to supplement salary while on sabbatical the following
conditions must be met:
1. The nature of the grant/contract must complement the proposed sabbatical activities and
participation in the grant/contract activities must contribute to the accomplishments of the
sabbatical goals,
2. The grant/contract agency must allow for such an arrangement,
3. The gross salary drawn from the grant/contract cannot exceed half-pay of the faculty
member’s normal salary,
4. The faculty member must be named and appear as a salary line item in the grant/contract,
and
5. The faculty member’s supervisor must submit written verification to the Provost that the
above conditions have been met. This must include sign off by the Director of Research and
Sponsored Programs.
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Timeline for Applications
By end of the fourth week of January:
Eligible faculty will submit the “Notice of Intent” to the Provost and supervisors. The
Notice specifies which type (one semester at full pay, or two semester at half pay)
the faculty member is seeking and for which semester. Faculty who do not submit
the “Notice of Intent” by this time are not eligible to apply.
By the end of the fourth week of February:
Sabbatical applications must be turned in to the Provost. At this time the Provost or
designee will determine if a selection committee must be constituted. The Provost or
designee will notify the senate and each college of the need for an elected
committee.
If a committee is needed:
By the first week of March: Sabbatical selection committee will be constituted.
By the fourth week of March: Sabbatical committee will submit a ranked list of
recommended faculty to the Provost.
By the first week of April:
The Provost or designee will notify faculty of approval or denial of sabbatical.
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Notice of Intent to Apply for Sabbatical
Name __________________________
Rank _____________
Department _______________________
College _________________________
I am notifying you of my intention to apply for a sabbatical for the next academic year.
I am interested in:
Full Semester at full pay _____
Two Semesters at half pay _____
I would like to take the leave during:
Fall _____
Spring ____
Fall/Spring ____
For twelve month faculty only:
Summer-Fall _____
The nature of the proposed sabbatical is:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________
_______________________
Signature of Applicant
Original to Provost
Copy to Supervisor and Applicant
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__________________ ___________
Received by
Date
Cover Sheet for all Sabbatical Applications and Final Reports
Name __________________________
Rank _____________
Department _______________________
College _________________________
There are ___ no changes ___ changes in the type of sabbatical and the term in which I would like to
receive the sabbatical.
Here are my requested changes.
________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
This proposal for sabbatical leave has been reviewed and is recommended by:
____________________________
Immediate Supervisor
___________________________
College Dean
___________________________
Received by
_________________
Date
__________________
Date
__________________
Date
This final report is being submitted as part of the requirement for sabbatical leave. It has been reviewed
and approved by:
____________________________
Immediate Supervisor
___________________________
College Dean
___________________________
Received by
Original to Provost
Copy to Supervisor and Applicant
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_________________
Date
__________________
Date
__________________
Date
Checklist
1.
2.
3.
Item
Notice of Intent
Application
Cover sheet
Reasons for requesting sabbatical
Goals for Sabbatical with respect to
professional development
Statement of Program/Activities
Statement on Value to Employee
Statement on Value to Department, College
and University
Statement of Expected Results of
Sabbatical
Statement on compliance with the
bargaining agreement with regard to
sabbaticals
Statement with regard to being accountable
for the time spent on sabbatical
Vita with current publications and
professional achievements
Design of the final report
Statement about whether or not Article 19 is
a factor
Statement if there is any grant/contract
involvement
Final Report
Statement on accomplishment of the
reasons, goals and results
Outline of activities performed
Three – five page report on initial results
Statement on future work related to
sabbatical with timelines
Drafts of works for publication
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Date Sent