A.POLICY

This sabbatical leave policy is granted by the Board of Trustees to the Zane State College faculty for the purpose of improving the quality of instruction at Zane State College.

Therefore, all applicants for a sabbatical leave must be prepared to demonstrate clearly how their sabbatical activities will contribute to this purpose.

B.POLICY GUIDELINES

The following criteria are requirements for eligibility:

1. A full-time faculty member holding the rank of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor.
2. The presentation of a well-developed plan of study or project that contributes to improving the quality of instruction within the College.
3. Coverage of the applicant’s teaching and committee responsibilities must also be available.

Selection

All applicants will be screened by the Academic Council and the Faculty Senate. This combined committee shall prepare its recommendations and submit the recommendations in order of priority to the President. Based upon the recommendation of the Academic Council and Faculty Senate and other recommendations as they shall require, the President shall recommend to the Board of Trustees the approval of sabbatical leaves for the year. Any Faculty Senate member applying for sabbatical leave will be excluded from the selection committee for that selection period.

Remuneration

The sabbatical program will be provided within the financial and human resources of the College and as reflected in the budget of the College.

1. Salary
   1. An employee on a full academic year sabbatical leave will be paid sixty-seven percent of their annual base salary.
   2. An employee on a one semester sabbatical leave will be paid their full annual base salary.
2. Fringe Benefits

No faculty member shall be required, by being on sabbatical leave, to suffer a reduction or termination of regular employee retirement or insurance benefits. Whenever such a benefit would be reduced because of a reduction in the faculty member’s salary during sabbatical leave, the faculty member shall be given a chance to pay any additional withholding amounts which would be required to maintain fringe benefits at the normal level (except as prohibited by federal or state law).

A faculty member requesting sabbatical for one or two semesters should complete a Zane State College Sabbatical Leave Request form. Completion of the form will establish the faculty member’s right to receive full STRS credit for the leave period by paying the required amounts to maintain benefits at the normal level.

The Office of Human Resources will work with the faculty member to develop an understanding of the options available under STRS to faculty on a partially paid sabbatical.

Obligations of the Faculty Member

Faculty members accepting a sabbatical leave obligate themselves to the following conditions:

1. Reasonable completion of the program of activities or study for which the sabbatical leave was granted as determined by the Dean.
2. The presentation of a comprehensive report at the conclusion of the leave to the President’s Cabinet and the Board of Trustees. This report should include, but is not limited to, a summary of the program of study or project, the degree of completion of the program of study or project, an evaluation of the experience, and how the results of the leave will be used to improve instruction.
3. Return to the faculty of Zane State College for at least one academic year following the conclusion of the sabbatical leave. Failure to return will require repayment of the full amount of the salary actually paid.

Obligations of the College

Zane State College assumes the following obligations under this policy:

1. The College will pay the appropriate salary and fringe benefits to the faculty member on leave.
2. The College will provide employment of the same or a similar nature to the faculty member upon the conclusion of the leave.
3. Consideration for renewal of appointment will not be affected by sabbatical leave.
4. The College will count the period of leave as either a full academic year, or one semester of teaching dependent upon the leave awarded for purposes of salary determination.

Special Considerations

In establishing, implementing, and administering this policy, the following special consideration shall be observed:

1. Sabbatical leaves shall not be granted for the primary purpose of completion of requirements for a graduate degree.
2. It is an improper use of public monies to grant a sabbatical leave for a program of study or project which will result in a double income during the course of the leave or thereafter. Should the course of study or project involve the receipt of a grant or require employment, the College will appropriately adjust the pay of the faculty