Definition

Sabbatical leave is granted at the discretion of the administration to enable appointed personnel to make advances in their profession, to remain effective in current positions, or to render the greatest possible service to The University of Arizona.

Eligibility

• Appointed personnel who have served on full-time continuous fiscal or academic year appointments at the University for a period of not less than six years; and,
• Who have tenure or continuous status; and,
• Who intend to return to the University for a period of further service equal to the length of the leave.
• Following a sabbatical leave, six years of further service are required before an employee becomes eligible for another such leave.

Procedure

• Forms and instructions for applying for sabbatical leave may be obtained from the dean's or director's office.
• Each college/vice presidential area has a Sabbatical Leave Advisory Committee consisting of at least three people.
• Applications are reviewed by the appropriate department head and dean/vice president or director.
• The final approval of sabbatical leave applications occurs in the college/vice presidential area.
• A candidate whose sabbatical proposal is rejected by the dean/vice president has the right to appeal to the University's Sabbatical Leave Advisory Committee.

What happens to Your Benefits?

• This leave has no impact on the employee's current benefits. Benefit premiums will continue to be deducted from the employee's paycheck.

Link to Policy & Related Resources:

• University Handbook of Appointed Personnel, Policy 8.03.02
• Vice Provost for Academic Affairs website

FAQs

Q: What difference is there between being on an academic year and on a fiscal year appointment?

A: Appointed personnel on an academic year appointment may apply for a sabbatical leave of either one or two semesters. Appointed personnel on a fiscal-year appointment may request leave of either six or twelve months. In addition, fiscal year employees with teaching assignments who take a leave of six months must arrange to be present during one of the two regular semesters.

Q: What compensation does the University pay during Sabbatical Leave?

A: If the leave is for two semesters or one fiscal year, the University will pay compensation at three-fifths of the recipient's normal salary. If the leave is for one semester or six months, the University will pay the full salary.

Q: At the time of my first application for Sabbatical leave, I had more than six years of continuous service. Will the difference be credited towards future sabbaticals?

A: No, time served in excess of six years may not be accumulated toward future sabbaticals.

Q: What happens if I withdraw my application after it has been approved?

A: If a candidate withdraws his/her application after it has been approved, every effort will be made in department planning to approve the sabbatical for the following year. However, such approval cannot be guaranteed, and the period of the delay does not count toward the next sabbatical.