Faculty Sabbatical Policy

Responsible Unit: Provost Office | Executive lead: Provost 
Created: 2008 | Reviewed/Revised: 04/22/2020, 01/05/2023 | Effective: 01/19/2023 
Compliance: NWCCU 2.F.1, 2.F.2, COCA 7.6, CAPTE 3E 
Approving Body: PAC | Classification: Local: University Faculty 

Policy:  
Faculty sabbatical is an opportunity for full emersion in professional growth and development so the faculty member may serve the University more effectively and advance in their field of specialization. The sabbatical is a full-time leave of 6 to 12 months where the faculty member is relieved of all academic duties to pursue a concentrated research or service effort. A sabbatical may only be granted to faculty after a minimum of seven years of outstanding service to PNWU and is subject to the availability of resources.   

Eligibility  

  • After six years of service to the university at 0.5 FTE or more, a faculty member currently at the associate or full professor rank is eligible to apply for a sabbatical assignment in their seventh year.  
  • In order to be eligible for a subsequent sabbatical, a faculty member must serve at least part-time (0.5 FTE or more) for six additional years.    

Duration and Compensation  

  • A sabbatical may be granted for 6 months, 9 months, or 12 months.  
  • The faculty member shall receive the following salary and benefits:  
Sabbatical LengthSalaryHealth Insurance BenefitsOther Benefits
6-MonthFull for durationFull for durationFull for duration
9-MonthFull for first 6 month, ¾ for next 3 monthsFull for duration Full for first 6 month, ¾ for next 3 months
12-MonthFull for first 6 month, ¾ for next 3 months, ½ for final 3 monthsFull for duration Full for first 6 month, ¾ for next 3 months , ½ for final 3 months
  • Benefits include the above described health insurance and retirement unless waived in writing by the faculty member.
  • A faculty member on sabbatical shall not render services for compensation in the University or another institution or enterprise. However, the acceptance of a fellowship or other assistance in research is allowed. In such a case, the additional funds, in combination with the sabbatical salary may not exceed the regular salary of the faculty member.
  • A faculty member may seek additional support specifically for travel, usual living expenses, or material to conduct research without restriction of the full-compensation maximum. These funds must be disclosed in the sabbatical plan as outlined in the application.
  • The faculty member is relieved of all academic and service duties and responsibilities during the period of their sabbatical.
  • The faculty member shall not be penalized by exclusion either from salary increases or from consideration for promotion to which they would normally be entitled had they not taken a sabbatical.

Application  

  • A request for sabbatical must be completed and submitted by the faculty member no later than August 1, preceding the year in which the sabbatical is desired. The faculty member will be notified of decision no later than November 1, preceding the year in which the sabbatical is desired.  

Completion  

  • Within 90 days of the completion of the sabbatical leave, the faculty member must submit a report as detailed in the program’s sabbatical leave procedures. 
  • A faculty member granted a sabbatical leave is required to return to the University for a period of at least one year following the completion of the sabbatical. A faculty member who fails to satisfy this return obligation will be required to reimburse the University the funds it contributed to the sabbatical including, but not limited to, salary, benefits, and professional development funds. 

Definitions:  
Outstanding service is to be defined by the college, school, or program and must be provided to the faculty applying for sabbatical. 

Procedure:  
COM Faculty Sabbatical Procedure  

Related Documents: 
N/A 

Policy Resources

For assistance with policies and procedures contact:

Lori Fulton
lfulton@pnwu.edu