Sabbatical Leave Program (updated 8/09)
Sabbatical leaves are an expensive investment by the University in the scholarly, scientific or artistic development of its faculty. All requests for sabbatical leaves must be reviewed and approved by the campus-level Sabbatical Leaves Committee, which seeks to determine if the proposed sabbatical project will indeed benefit the University as well as the individual faculty member. This implies that the sabbatical leave applicant must provide a well thought-out, clearly delineated plan of research for the sabbatical leave, including discussion of how the proposed activities serve the mission of the University. Even though this application process begins almost one year before the leave itself, applicants must be as specific as possible in describing research plans and anticipated outcomes/benefits. Proposals that fail to outline a clear plan of work may be rejected by the Committee, or the applicant may be asked to submit a revised version.
Ordinarily, applications for sabbatical leaves are not approved for the following purposes: writing a textbook; course development or improvement; extension or continuation of extant research projects or creative activities already taking place on the Bloomington campus; travel or visits to other institutions that have no clear scholarly, scientific or artistic purpose. If the applicant intends to include post-doctoral training as part of the sabbatical application, special effort must be made to show how that additional training is essential for new directions in research or creative activity. Sabbatical leave applications will not be approved if faculty fail to fill out the Report on Completion of Sabbatical Leave, describing accomplishments of their previous sabbatical leave.
For 2009-10, Associate Vice Provost Michael J. Wade (mjwade@indiana.edu) will chair the Sabbatical Leaves Committee and will generally administer the Sabbatical Leaves of Absence Program. Questions about eligibility for sabbatical leaves should be directed to Shelley Burns at the Office of Academic Personnel Policies and Services, Bryan Hall 016, phone 855-0202 or sheburns@indiana.edu.
Important Links:
(1) Sabbatical Leave Application (including directions and deadlines)
(2) Policy on Sabbatical Leave Program (Academic Guide)
(3) Interpretation of Policy on Sabbatical Leave Program (Academic Guide)