Sabbatical Leave FPG Program

The Sabbaticals Program was described at the October 23, 2001 FPG presention to the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board. In this video clip, Doug Sawyer, then vice chair of the Sabbatical & Advancements committee, describes the process of sabbatical review, evaluation and awards.

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A sabbatical leave is an opportunity to broaden or deepen educational interests, to explore new areas, or examine instructional methods to enhance the mission of the college. A sabbatical leave gives faculty a respite from their normal duties in order to provide them an opportunity to grow professionally. The goal of a sabbatical leave project is to engage faculty in the areas of study, research, travel, work experience, or other creative activity, and to contribute to the institution as a whole upon his/her return to the college. A sabbatical leave is a competitive process awarded to eligible faculty on the strength of his/her application. Sabbatical funding is limited.

Who and what direct the sabbatical program?

According to the Residential Faculty Policies (RFP) A.4.1. A & A.4.2, the sabbatical sub-committee of the Faculty Professional Growth Committee administers the sabbatical leave policy. Appendix A of the RFP details the contractual aspects of the sabbatical program. The guidelines posted on the FPG website facilitate faculty application for a sabbatical.

How do I apply for a sabbatical?

A successful sabbatical application benefits from thorough planning. Some activities may require many months to orchestrate necessary connections and cooperation. It is recommended that the applicant meet with his/her FPG representative in preparation of his/her proposal. Applications are submitted annually by October 1st to the Vice President of Academic Affairs office (RFP A.4.3.2) by 3 p.m. When October 1st falls on the weekend, the proposal is due the Friday before the October 1st deadline.

Who is eligible for a sabbatical?

See Residential Faculty Policies Appendix A Section 4. The current eligibility list is available via this web site (see Sabbatical Eligibility Database).

What are the financial arrangements in taking a sabbatical?

For details on compensation and length of sabbatical see Residential Faculty Policies, Appendix A Section 4.

What kinds of activities are appropriate for a sabbatical?

Samples of successful sabbatical proposals are available for your review. These are generally found in your college library at the reserve desk. Your FPG representative can assist you in exploring your idea. This web site includes the abstracts of proposals since 2000.

The RFP lists the following types of sabbatical activities:

Updating of knowledge in subject field
Practical training of job experience in a subject related field
Planned and approved travel related to the subject field
Curriculum and materials development
Research and publication
Completing resident requirement for an advanced degree
Completion of advanced degree
Service to the district
Other creative activity

Are there activities I cannot participate in while on a sabbatical?

Section A.4.7.6 of the RFP states…

Members on sabbatical leave may not participate in voluntary services to the District or to College/District Faculty Governance unless permission is granted by the Professional Growth Committee and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

This means that a faculty member can not serve as a department chair, on screening committees, as a chaperone for a student activity or provide any other voluntary service to the district while on sabbatical. Contact your FPG college representative if you have any questions.

What about receiving remuneration while on a sabbatical?

Section A.4.7.5 of the RFP states…

Members on sabbatical leave may not receive any remuneration from MCCCD other than that provided by the sabbatical leave policy.

This applies to special services contracts, working on grant projects, receiving travel reimbursement and/or registration fees reimbursement. Contact your FPG college representative if you have any questions.

What should a sabbatical proposal include?

The proposal should follow the organizational structure of the FPG Sabbatical Evaluation Form. See the section on this site covering proposals. See also the application forms available from myFPG.

Sub-Committee Evaluation

FPG Sabbatical Evaluation Form
shows the scoring sheet and criteria used by review committee members
MS Word file: sabbatical_eval.doc [81k]

Sabbatical funding is limited.

Formal Notification

Applicants are notified of Governing Board action by certified mail from the office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Governing Board action is scheduled for the January meeting each year.

What are my obligations while on my sabbatical?

This is a contractual arrangement that requires fulfillment of the approved sabbatical proposal.

Sabbatical Reports

Submit ALL reports in electronic format to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, your college president, your FPG college representative and the Professional Growth Committee via the Professional Growth Administrative Assistant.

Performance Report
A statement by you indicating you have begun your activities as planned in your proposal submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of each semester. Please include contact information, e-mail, phone numbers, and mailing address for yourself during your sabbatical.
Final Report
The purpose of your final report is to provide and disseminate accountability to our community and to your colleagues.

Your final report is due within 60 days of your return to your college. Submit this report in electronic form. The final report includes:
- A 100 word abstract
- In the body of your report provide:
  - A description of your experience; include both successes and problems you encountered
  - If your sabbatical produced a tangible product, provide a copy or a link to it
  - Describe your professional growth
  - Describe your future plans as a result of your sabbatical
- For a full-time study program, an official transcript is required
- If your full-time study program is to be used for horizontal advancement, be sure to complete the academic advancement application for this work
- If your full-time study program fulfills the completion of an advanced degree provide Wage and Salary with an official transcript immediately so adjustment can be made to your contract if applicable

What if I need to change my proposal after I am awarded?

Request the desired change in writing; confer with your department/division chair and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, if appropriate (ex: changing a fall leave to a spring leave). Contact your FPG college representative for further details. If you make the change during the academic year the FPG committee will respond to your request after its next scheduled meeting. If you need to make a change over the summer the wait may be extended, though every effort will be made to respond as quickly as possible.

Officially the FPG sub-committee for sabbaticals and advancements, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and the Governing Board must approve changes.

What if I publish during my sabbatical?

See Residential Faculty Policies, Appendix A Section 4.