Sabbatical
The purpose of a sabbatical award is to provide time and support for a faculty member to take advantage of unique educational opportunities and engage in projects to expand their knowledge and skills in relation to teaching, professional practice and scholarship. These awards are limited and competitive and are offered based on eligibility, faculty contributions to the University, and strength of the proposal. The gains through this process are intended to support student learning, service, and leadership to the institution and enhance the reputation and prestige of the University through scholarship activities and representation in professional organizations.
Eligibility
All full-time faculty at the minimum rank of associate professor or its equivalent who will have completed at least six years of full-time employment at National Louis University are eligible to apply for a sabbatical award. Subsequent sabbatical eligibility is calculated in increments of a minimum of six years of service.
Sabbatical Leave Options
Any sabbatical leave must be taken in a single academic year, and applicants must select only one of the following three options:
- One academic quarter (or the appropriate equivalent - to be determined by the Chief Academic Officer) at full annual contract salary.
- Two academic quarters (or the appropriate equivalent) at three-fourths annual contract salary.
- Three academic quarters (or the appropriate equivalent) at one-half annual contract salary.
Determination of the sabbatical budget will include consideration of issues such as numbers of projected eligible faculty in a given year and estimated replacement costs.
Compensation, Benefits and Conditions
Full fringe benefit coverage will be provided for faculty members on sabbatical leave based on the salary rate that the individual would have received while on full-time faculty contract. In keeping with the purpose and spirit of a sabbatical leave, the applicants are expected to inform National Louis University of any other salaries, grants, fellowships, or other financial support expected or received during the sabbatical period derived as a result of the sabbatical leave.
Application Procedures
The applicant shall notify the Department Chair or Program Director and Dean of the intent to apply for sabbatical and confirm this notification on the Sabbatical Application.
Applicants must submit the completed application form signed by the Dean with a narrative proposal and a curriculum vita via the form below by September 15. The narrative proposal, no more than 4 pages, must describe plans for the sabbatical and its value to the individual's professional growth, to NLU, and to the profession. The curriculum vita should detail the applicant's prior service to the University and to the profession. Applicants should submit only one proposal; multiple proposals will not be reviewed.
The Faculty Development Committee will consider only complete applications submitted by the specified deadline. In September, the Office of the Provost will provide the Deans a list of the applicants and the length of leave requested.
The FDC is dedicated to a consensus decision-making process and will evaluate only those applications that meet the stated application and proposal guidelines. Each proposal will then be ranked on the basis of the quality of the proposal (i.e., sufficient information, clarity of written presentation, completeness), the potential for professional growth, and the following:
- Quality of the proposal and its clarity as a plan (purpose, objectives, activities)
- Growth Potential (professional and personal growth)
- Quality and relevance of proposal to NLU mission
- Demonstrated commitment of applicant to NLU (service to the institution)
- Demonstrated commitment to profession (professional service and activity)
- Demonstrated commitment to teaching (years of teaching since last sabbatical)
Sufficient evidence must be presented to the Committee to indicate meeting each of the above criteria.
Any sitting FDC members who have applied for a sabbatical leave may remain members of the Committee but must recuse themselves from the review, discussion, and results of the sabbatical review process. Any faculty member sitting on any governance committee, who has been awarded a sabbatical leave, should notify the Chair of all committees on which they serve to request a replacement.
May 1st - The Office of the Provost generates list of faculty eligible for sabbatical and sends the list to the Deans for review and corrections.
August 31st - The Office of the Provost, on behalf of the Faculty Development Committee, informs the faculty community of Sabbatical application procedures and deadlines for the upcoming academic year.
September 15th - Sabbatical application materials are submitted by the faculty member via the form on this page.
September 30th - The Office of the Provost forwards the applications to the Faculty Development Committee chair and Deans.
November 30th - The Faculty Development Committee submits its recommendations in the format of a ranked list to the Chief Academic Officer of the University.
November 30th - The Deans submit a resource impact report to the Chief Academic Officer.
March Board of Trustees Meeting - The Chief Academic Officer, in consultation with the Deans and with approval from the President, makes sabbatical recommendations to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees, who then recommend a slate of sabbatical awards to the full Board of Trustees at the March meeting.
After the March Board of Trustees meeting - The President’s Office notifies the Faculty Development Committee, Deans, Office of the Provost, and Human Resources of the board's decision. A letter is sent from the Office of the Provost to faculty notifying them of decision and requesting a detailed written report. Should the request be denied, the letter should include the reason for that denial.
Within 5 days of notification - Sabbatical recipients must return the Verification of Intent form back to the Office of the Provost.
September 1st - A detailed written report from the sabbatical recipient is submitted to the Provost's Office
