Sabbatical Requests

Faculty may request a sabbatical leave according to stated policy in the Faculty Handbook.  Please note that a recipient of a sabbatical leave of absence is obligated to return to Michigan State University for the following year.  The following summarizes other main issues from MSU's sabbatical policy and instructions on submitting sabbatical requests to your chair.

• A sabbatical leave is intended for the mutual benefit of the University and the faculty member granted a leave. The purpose is to encourage academic and institutional revitalization by providing sustained time for research/creative activities; development of new courses or programs; acquisition of expanded and/or new qualifications and skills; contribution to academic unit plans to improve and/or refocus instructional, research, or public service activities in accordance with the mission of the University.

• A sabbatical leave is not granted automatically. Each request for a sabbatical leave must include a detailed description outlining the purposes, objectives and scholarly and research activities of the leave and normally should be submitted six months in advance of the starting date of the leave. The plan should indicate how the objectives and accomplishments of the leave will advance the interests and capabilities of the faculty member for fulfilling the aims, objectives and goals of the department/school, college or University. All leaves must have the approval of the appropriate administrators and of the Provost or designee.

• Within thirty (30) days following the conclusion of a sabbatical leave, a sabbatical leave report, not to exceed one page in length, must be submitted to the department chairperson/school director. The report should include an assessment and evaluation of the leave accomplishments in relation to the sabbatical leave plan. Departments/schools should retain a copy of the sabbatical leave report in applicable unit files. (modified 1/25/00)

In addition to submitting the Leave of Absence form, chairs should collect and append the following items to each request:

• Sabbatical Leave Information form
  
  
• A statement about how the chair will maintain programmatic integrity during the leave semester(s) (cancel low enrolled or elective courses, request that other faculty take on sections left open by the faculty member on sabbatical, hire additional staff with money generated by the faculty member on leave through salary savings, an external grant, etc.)

• A copy of the faculty member's last sabbatical proposal and sabbatical report. The chair should supply appropriate commentary on the relationship between the last sabbatical plan and the reported accomplishments.

• An abbreviated cv citing the faculty member's accomplishments in the last six years or since the last sabbatical leave.