Effective Date Jul 14, 2016

Florida Tech recognizes the necessity for faculty members to acquire new and enriching experiences and to secure uninterrupted time for research, and thereby encourages and supports the sabbatical leave concept.

Eligibility: A faculty member whose service to Florida Tech for three or more continuous academic years meritoriously warrants sabbatical leave, may be granted leave of absence with part-time pay for a period not exceeding one year. Leave may be granted for the purpose of pursuing advanced study beyond the terminal degree, engaging in research or traveling in support of scholarly pursuits; in general, any activity that will enhance the professional and scholarly growth of the applicant. Sabbatical leave will not be granted more than once every seven years. The deadline for request is November 1 for a leave beginning the following academic year with a decision on the request by January 15. Applications for sabbatical leave must be made in consultation with the faculty member’s supervisor and dean, and forwarded to the chief academic officer.

The sabbatical application should consist of a letter that states the date of the last sabbatical taken by the applicant, the time frame proposed for the requested sabbatical, a brief description of the activities planned during the sabbatical, and a description of the benefits of the sabbatical in terms of scholarly growth for the applicant and benefit to the university. Detailed proposals may be submitted as attachments.

If the sabbatical is approved, the precise terms of the leave of absence shall be in writing and given to the faculty member at the time of approval of the sabbatical leave.

Compensation: Sabbatical leave may be granted by the university for one academic term with full pay, or for one academic year with half pay. The amount paid shall not exceed half of the faculty member’s regular salary for the academic year during which the leave takes place. Consultation between the faculty member and the chief academic officer will determine the applicable compensation option.

It is expected that a faculty member on sabbatical will not engage in remunerative employment. However, approval may be given if compensation for such employment amounts to not more than a half-year’s salary plus $5,000 for those on leave on half pay for a full year. This makes it possible for a faculty member to enjoy the salary equivalent to that of the university plus $2,500 per term in consideration of the special expenses to the faculty member. Beyond such amounts of earning, the obligation of the university to the faculty member on leave will be proportionately reduced. However, foundation grants for research material or special travel will not reduce the obligation of the university, and in special cases, the common-sense principle may be applied. The aim of the leave of absence and any obligation of the university do not extend beyond this point. In cases of outside remuneration beyond the points mentioned above, the faculty member may be granted leave at his own expense, or the university may be relieved of its obligation in proportion to the earnings involved.

Conditions: A faculty member is given sabbatical leave with the expectation that she/he will return to full-time service with the university at the conclusion of the sabbatical. A condition of accepting the sabbatical is that the faculty member must execute a formal contractual agreement that specifies the obligations of the university and the faculty member. Faculty not returning incur a financial obligation: The faculty member will, to the extent permitted by law, pay back funds received from Florida Tech during the sabbatical if the faculty member does not resume full-time employment with Florida Tech for at least one academic year after the sabbatical. Interest at the rate of 1.3 times prime will accrue on the sabbatical leave amount beginning with the end date of the sabbatical. Lump sum payback is expected. If not lump sum, the rate of payback will be determined by Florida Tech but will not exceed one year.