The purpose of the Saint Mary’s University Sabbatical Leave Policy is to provide faculty members with opportunities to enhance teaching effectiveness, concentrate on scholarly pursuits, and further the development of the academic program of the University. As a committee of the Faculty, a role of the Faculty Development Committee (FDC) is to support optimum use of sabbaticals as one means to maintain an invigorated intellectual community. If this goal is to be met, sabbatical leave must be characterized by both accessibility and accountability.

Through formative assistance to candidates (early consultations including reviews of proposal drafts), FDC members hope to facilitate the construction of an appropriate proposal. While the formative process cannot guarantee that a particular proposal will be granted, it should help candidates develop attainable goals and meaningful assessment plans for the learning to which the faculty member aspires. Members of FDC will work with sabbatical candidates to develop proposals that more clearly articulate the interaction of the candidate’s professional development goals and the interests of the University. Thus, we fulfill three sequential roles in the sabbatical review process:

• formative proposal assistance, with any or all FDC members;
• formal review, evaluation and ranking of each sabbatical proposal;
• submission to the Provost of a ranking of proposals on merit.

Members of FDC develop (with the Provost) the Faculty Development Sabbatical Proposal Guidelines; update these materials in response to faculty concerns; and check for consistency with the Faculty Handbook. Sabbatical Leave eligibility and procedures are addressed in the Faculty Handbook, Part III, “Faculty Employment Policies and Procedures”, Sections 3.10.1 and 3.10.1.1. Each applicant must be familiar with the full text of the Handbook on this and all other issues related to sabbaticals. For quick reference, we provide a summary of the proposal timeline below.

We look forward to supporting you in creating a proposal that meets your needs and the University’s criteria for sabbatical selection. Please feel welcome to call an FDC member for information or collaboration. 

Faculty Development Sabbatical Proposal Timeline 

• Sabbatical proposal
• Current curriculum vitae
• Appended documents that help create a context for the proposal (e.g., grants awarded, commissions, scripts)
• Letter(s) of support from:          
  • Department Chair or Program Director (unless you are Chair or Director)
  • Dean (if you are Department Chair or Program Director)
    *Letters of support from Chairs or Deans must address the merits of the proposal; and how the Candidate’s proposed absence could be accommodated by the Department or Program.  

Sabbatical Proposal Outline

Synopsis

• State the amount of time and the semester for which you are requesting sabbatical leave.
• List major goals and objectives of the sabbatical. 

Activities Description

• Describe the timeline of activities over the sabbatical period.
• If applicable, describe why the sabbatical must be completed within the time frame requested.

Contribution Description

• Describe the ways the sabbatical will contribute to your professional development as a faculty member at Saint Mary’s  University.
• Describe the ways the sabbatical will contribute to the academic program of the University.
• Describe how you will share results of your work with fellow faculty members upon return from the sabbatical.

Assessment Description

• Describe the evidence that will indicate that the sabbatical has influenced your professional development, and how the contributions will be assessed.
• Describe the evidence that will indicate that the sabbatical has contributed to the academic program of the university.
• Describe how you will share assessment of your work with the University community upon your return.
• Examples of evidence
  • Appointment to leadership position
  • Artistic performance or exhibit
  • Conference presentation
  • Creation of new course syllabus
  • Student development program
  • Submission of article or book
  • University community forum / workshop
  • Winona community forum / workshop  

(FDC 3.13.02; FEC 4.9.02; Trustees 5.02)