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III.D.2. Sabbatical Leave
Sabbatical leaves are among the most important means to increase a teacher's effectiveness and
to enhance a scholar's opportunity for research, reflection, writing, and artistic creation. Because
effective teaching and ongoing scholarship are at the heart of a liberal arts tradition, a sound
sabbatical leave program is of vital importance to the academic life of a liberal arts college, and
every faculty member should use available means of professional development, including
sabbatical leaves, to increase professional competence. The major purpose of Birmingham-
Southern College's sabbatical leave program is to provide an opportunity for continued
professional growth and new or renewed intellectual development through artistic endeavors,
research, study, travel, or writing in order to enhance creativity, scholarship, and teaching. (The
Birmingham-Southern College sabbatical statement was accepted by the Faculty during fall term,
1996. It is closely based on that of Trinity University and is adapted by permission.)
Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors who have had six years of continuous
service on the College Faculty are eligible for sabbatical leave consideration. Years taught in a
full-time, non-tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor with the Ph.D. or other
terminal degree may be counted as part of the six years of service required for eligibility. At the
Provost's discretion, the years an applicant taught with the rank of full-time instructor may be
counted as part of the six years of service required for eligibility.
Faculty members may elect to use a full academic year at half the base salary, or a half year at
the full base salary. In either case, the College continues to contribute its full share of all
established benefits, such as retirement and insurance. A half-year leave may include the fall and
Exploration terms (September to February) or the Exploration and spring terms (January to
June). The summer term is not considered a part of the leave year.
Faculty members are eligible for subsequent sabbaticals after each six years of post-sabbatical
service. In the case of service to the College as department chair or area chair that extends a
period between sabbaticals beyond six years, up to two years of service after the year of
eligibility may be counted toward a subsequent sabbatical.
Applications for sabbatical leave must be submitted to the Associate Provost of the College by
December 1 of the academic year prior to the year of the planned leave. The sabbatical leave
application form is available on Moodle.
Sabbatical leaves are granted by the Provost of the College and the President upon
recommendation of the Faculty Development Committee. No more than ten percent of the
Faculty may be on sabbatical leave at any one time.
Following the sabbatical, a written
evaluation of the project must be provided to the Associate Provost of the College, with a copy to
the Faculty Development Committee, by April 1 of the academic year in which a fall/Exploration
half-year sabbatical is taken and by October 1 of the calendar year in which either a full-year
sabbatical or an Exploration/spring half-year sabbatical concluded. Faculty members are also