Fall marks the beginning of some collegial processes set out in the collective agreement. One of those is the sabbatical leave process set out in Article 20.
“Sabbatical leaves are intended for academic study, research, writing, and similar activities. Sabbatical leaves provide a means by which employees increase their knowledge, further their research, stimulate intellectual interests, strengthen their contacts with the world-wide community of scholars, thus enhancing their contribution to the University on their return.”
Sabbatical leave applications need to be submitted to your Dean by September 30. Deans determine acceptable sabbatical applications or delegate the task to a College Sabbatical Leave Committee chaired by the Dean or designate and including three employees, chosen by the CRC, who have been on sabbatical leaves. If you’re applying for a leave you cannot serve on the committee.
Application forms are available online. Be sure to include plans for your graduate students and note administrative responsibilities you may continue while on leave or the possibility of carrying out some administrative responsibilities.
Your sabbatical leave will be recommended if you have sufficient eligible service, and your proposed project and past sabbatical performance demonstrate your project will benefit you and the university. (Article 20.4) Benefits are judged in terms of:
- research, scholarly and artistic work; or
- teaching; or
- clinical practice; or
- other work related to your university duties.
Your sabbatical leave application may be deemed unacceptable. Should that happen, you can make a written appeal to the Sabbatical Leave Appeal Committee. This committee also considers and determines written appeals from anyone whose sabbatical leave research grant application has been denied. (Article 20.3.3)
In departmentalized colleges, Department Heads are invited to provide comments about your sabbatical leave application to the Dean or College Sabbatical Leave Committee. You are entitled to a copy of the comments. (Article 20.2.1(ii))
During your sabbatical leave, your assigned duties will be to work on your approved sabbatical project (what you outline in your application). Following your leave, you are expected to return to the University for a period equivalent to the length of your sabbatical leave. You must also submit a report to your Dean on the work done related to your sabbatical project no later than three months following the end date of the leave. (Article 20.7)
Your Dean can postpone your sabbatical leave for one year when more than 1/8 of tenured faculty in your college have acceptable sabbatical applications, or when you cannot be adequately replaced. If your leave is postponed, you have first claim on a sabbatical in subsequent years and the year of postponement counts as service toward your next sabbatical. (Article 20.6.1)
You may cancel your sabbatical, by May 1 when it is to begin on July 1 or by November 1 when it is to begin on January 1. Your Department Head and Dean need to approve cancellation after these dates. (Article 20.6.2)
You can receive a portion of your sabbatical salary as a research grant. You need to show funds are required for research during your sabbatical, such as travel, certain living expenses while away, books, telephone, copying and other research related costs. The tax status of these expenses is a matter between you and Canada Revenue Agency. The application form, as well as guidelines, are available via the website for the Vice-Provost Faculty Relations. You can appeal the denial of this research grant to the Sabbatical Leave Appeal Committee. (Article 20.11)