Faculty Sabbatical

To set forth campus-level policy regarding the awarding of sabbatical leaves to faculty, in accordance with A9.400 and Article VI of the UHPA-BOR Contract. Nothing contained in the language of this campus policy shall be interpreted to supersede the Collective Bargaining Agreement or UH System Administrative Procedures.

No policy specific or unique definitions apply.

1. Objectives of this campus policy are:
   1. To provide faculty members with an opportunity for further professional growth and development so that they may serve UH West O‘ahu more effectively and contribute to their field of specialization.
   2. To establish explicit procedures for the processing and review of faculty sabbatical applications as well as the execution of faculty sabbatical leaves.
2. Eligibility:
   1. Only tenured Faculty Members at Rank 2 or above may be eligible for a sabbatical leave after six (6) years or twelve (12) semesters of full-time creditable service with the University.
   2. Any leave of up to thirty (30) days will not constitute a break in service. Credit toward sabbatical leave is computed in units of not less than a full semester for Instructional Faculty Members provided that Instructional Faculty Members appointed effective on October 1 or February 1 of the respective semesters shall have such semester count as a full semester. All other classifications shall compute service from the most recent date of hire. Full-time creditable service refers to full-time active duty service at the University.
3. Application Process:
   1. The applicant shall submit to the appropriate Vice Chancellor, through the Division Chair (or Acting Unit Head), a description or narrative of the educational program, research, or other professional activity to which the Faculty Member proposes to devote the leave, along with the reasons for undertaking such a program while on leave.
   2. The Division Chair (or Acting Unit head) shall provide a written recommendation and attach an explanation of how the applicant’s duties will be covered during the period of sabbatical leave. A written explanation is also required for disapprovals.
   3. The appropriate Vice Chancellor shall note a recommendation on the application form and forward it to the Chancellor for a final decision.
   4. Applications shall be evaluated on the basis of the nature of the educational or professional program to be undertaken and the effect of the applicant’s absence on the division and the operations of the University. The Vice Chancellor or Chancellor may also consider how the sabbatical will be translated into teaching a scholarship for a wider audience, whether the proposed sabbatical leave is supported by competitive grants, and what the track record has been for successful completion of previous sabbatical plans.
4. Timeline and Execution:
   1. Nine-month Faculty and eleven-month Faculty with teaching or other duties related to the academic calendar must begin their sabbatical leaves on January 1 or July 1. (Eleven-month Faculty whose duties are not affected by the academic calendar may start their sabbatical on the first day of any month.)
   2. All sabbatical applications must be received by the appropriate Vice Chancellor or the Chancellor at least six (6) months before the effective date of the leave (i.e. January 1 for a July 1 start date). Any decision to deny the application shall be rendered in writing, with reasons provided, within four (4) months after receipt of the application by the Vice Chancellor or the Chancellor.
   3. Each Faculty Member who receives a sabbatical leave shall agree to return to the University for a period of service not less than the period of the sabbatical leave taken.
   4. Upon completion of the sabbatical period, the Faculty Member shall submit a written report of sabbatical activities to the Division Chair and the appropriate Vice Chancellor.

Article VI of the UHPA-BOR contract establishes the Chancellor as the ultimate decision-maker on applications for faculty sabbatical leave.

Office of the Chancellor, 689-2770.

UHPA-BOR Contract, Article VI, Leaves of Absences with Pay
UH West O‘ahu Faculty Senate Resolution 1997-9.

Attachment 1: Application for Sabbatical Leave Other than Community Colleges
Attachment A of A9.400.