Leaves of Absence & Sabbatical
Overview
In accordance with the Academic Personnel Policy, Section 5, employed faculty may be eligible for Sabbatical (5.6), Voluntary Leave Without Pay (5.7) or Administrative Leave (5.8).
In accordance with UMass Chan Medical School Human Resources, employed faculty may be eligible for other types of leave, such as FMLA, Worker's Compensation, etc.
Process
For any leaves administered by Human Resources as detailed above, please contact them at Benefits.UMMS@umassmed.edu
Sabbatical or Voluntary Leave of Absence Without Pay:
The purpose of the sabbatical is to provide a Faculty Member with an uninterrupted opportunity to pursue scholarly activities, gain new skills and knowledge, and/or enhance their professional development. Faculty Members are expected to commit sufficient effort to complete the activities proposed for the sabbatical.
Eligibility
All Employed Faculty (APP, Article 5) are eligible for a sabbatical, with the exception of UMass Chan-Employed Professionally-Salaried Faculty (APP, Section 5.2.a.ii). Eligible individuals must have at least six years of full or part-time service as a UMass Chan Faculty Member and must not have taken a sabbatical leave in the previous seven years.
Requests for sabbatical by Faculty Employed by UMMHC or a University-Approved External Foundation or Agency are subject to approval by UMMHC or the external foundation or agency.
Application
The Faculty Member submits a written application for a sabbatical to the department chair. Upon approval, the sabbatical is then forwarded for approval by the T.H. Chan School of Medicine Dean.
The application must include the following:
a) A description of the activities proposed for the sabbatical;
b) An assessment of the importance of these activities to the Faculty Member's career goals and the potential benefits to the Department and the School; and
c) A description of any scholarships, fellowships, or grants and any other salaried employment or external compensation that the Faculty Member will receive during the sabbatical. Such compensated activities must not conflict with the Faculty Member’s commitment to the activities proposed for the sabbatical.
ii. A Faculty Member may request one of the following options for a sabbatical:
a) Full salary for 6 months (which includes 2 weeks of vacation);
b) Half salary for 12 months (which includes 4 weeks of vacation); or
c) Half salary for two non-consecutive 6-month periods (each including 2 weeks of vacation).
Requirement for Return
Recipients of a sabbatical must return to duty as a UMass Chan Faculty Member for at least one year of service immediately following the expiration of the leave. A Faculty Member may submit a written request to the Provost, or their designee for faculty affairs, to postpone the required return for a period no longer than the length of the sabbatical. This request must include the rationale for postponement and an acknowledgment by the Faculty Member that their obligation to return for a full year of service remains in effect. Failure to return obligates the Faculty Member to refund any salary received during sabbatical.
The Sabbatical Report
Each recipient must submit, upon their return, a written report of their activities and the progress achieved on the goals of the sabbatical to the Provost’s designee for faculty affairs and, as applicable, the chair, dean and director. This report must be evaluated in the Faculty Member’s next APR.
Sabbatical and LOA application