Academic Leave Committee Bylaws (Sabbaticals)

1. Areas of Responsibility

   1. To review applications for sabbatic leave and make recommendations to the University President or designee.
   2. To review applications for retraining grants and make recommendations to the University President or designee.
   3. Within the limits of the CSU-AAUP contract and legal limits, maintain complete and absolute confidentiality about all data and deliberations.

2. Membership and Officers

   1. Total membership: 7
      1. Five (5) teaching faculty members, one elected by and from the teaching faculty of each of the four schools and one elected by and from the Librarians/Counselors/coaches group, for overlapping 2-year terms.
      2. Two (2) non-teaching faculty members elected by and from those represented by SUOAF-AFSCME for overlapping 2-year terms.
   2. No applicant for sabbatical leave may be a member of the committee the year his/her application is considered.
   3. Officers
      1. The chairperson shall be elected by a majority vote of elected members in the spring semester, following new member elections and preceding commencement.
      2. The position of secretary shall be filled by each member in turn on an alphabetically rotating basis, unless otherwise agreed to by the committee.

3. Conduct of Business

   1. The first meeting of each academic year shall be convened by the chairperson. In his/her absence the President of the University Senate will designate a Committee member to convene the Committee.
      1. A quorum shall consist of 4 members.
      2. Meetings are in executive session. Chairperson may call a meeting of the committee electronically as an option.
      3. Procedures shall be reviewed early in the Fall semester.
      4. By September 28th, the Committee shall receive applications, review criteria of the current collective bargaining agreements, and determine the method of evaluation of applications. If the 28th falls on a weekend or holiday the applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. of the next regular business day.
      5. The Committee shall meet as often as necessary until the review of applications is completed, a report submitted to the University President, and all other Committee business completed for the year.
      6. Decisions of the Committee require a majority vote of the members present or polled virtually and or face to face..
      7. The Committee may request an applicant to appear before it to discuss his/her application.
      8. The Committee shall rank the applicants for sabbatical leave using the following three categories: highly recommend, recommend, and not recommend.
   2. Documents to be received by the Committee
      1. Applications for sabbatic leave and/or retraining grants from the applicants.
      2. Application review from departments and directors.
      3. Application reviews from Deans or Provost.
   3. Reports to be submitted by the Committee:
      1. Recommendations to the University President/Provost regarding sabbatic leave and any faculty retraining grant applications.
      2. Annual report of the Committee to the University Senate.
   4. Reports to be received by the Committee
      1. In accordance with the AAUP contract article 13.7, each person receiving a sabbatic leave will submit to the Chief Academic Officer and to the Committee a written statement setting forth the experiences and accomplishments attained in pursuit of the objective set forth in the original proposal. This statement is to be provided within one (1) semester of the individual’s return from sabbatic leave.
      2. Upon receipt, each statement shall be transmitted by the Committee chairperson to the WCSU Library Archivist, to be made available to the University community. The method of transmission shall be established by the Library Archivist.
   5. Amendments
      1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at any regularly scheduled meeting at which there is a quorum, and the approval of the University Senate and the President of the University.

4. Evaluation of Application

1. 1. AAUP and SUOAF-AFSCME contracts state that the:
      1. Applicant must have completed six (6) years of full-time service at the University or six (6) years of full-time service since a previous sabbatic leave.
      2. Leave must benefit the CSU System.
      3. Sabbatic leaves are for purposes of scholarly and creative endeavors that strengthen the professional competence or enrich the teaching of members.
   2. Department Library Faculty or Counseling Center’s Review
      1. Professional merits of the proposal.
      2. Value to the department, library, or counseling center.
      3. Impact of applicant’s absence on teaching or work assignment within department, library, or counseling center.
   3. Dean or Director of Library Science or Counseling Center’s Review
      1. Impact of the proposed leave on staffing within the school, library, or center.
      2. Potential benefit to the University.
   4. Administrative Faculty Review Procedures.
      1. Impact of the proposed leave on the department.
      2. Potential benefit to the University.
   5. Committee’s Review
      1. The Committee will check IV.A.1. and consider IV.A.2., IV.A.3., IV.B., IV.C. and IV.D., as appropriate.
      2. The Committee will review for appropriateness:
         1. Project Description: What is the research, project, or creative activity you intend to execute? What do you plan to do? Provide an abstract of no more than 100 words, then clearly state your specific goals.
         2. Literature Review & the Field: How is this work relevant to a body of literature, scholarly knowledge, or creative activity? How does this project contribute to an existing body of work? Why does this project matter? Explain why you have the specific knowledge and skills necessary to achieve your goals.
         3. Work Plan: Explain how you will execute the project. Provide a time-line explaining how you will proceed in the time requested. Include an explanation of how you will ensure you have appropriate facilities and professional contacts. How do you plan to do this? Provide an itinerary if necessary.
         4. Outcomes and Reporting: What are the plans for reporting on this work, for publishing, presenting, or executing this project? Focus on the impact on your research and discipline. Explain how your project will contribute to curriculum development and/or student learning, and how it will support the university’s strategic plan.
   6. The Committee shall base the major portion of its evaluation on the potential benefits to the University of the applicant’s project. Consideration will be given to:

1. 1. 1. Clear goal of the project.
      2. Suitable preparations.
      3. Creative record of applicant.
      4. Clarity of presentation.
      5. Likelihood of the production of a creative product during the sabbatic period or shortly thereafter.
      6. The project clearly supports the university’s strategic plan.
      7. The project supports student learning.