Sabbaticals and Scholarly Activity Leaves

Sabbaticals 

Members of the tenured faculty who have completed six years (12 terms) of service in the professorial rank at the University and have tenure are eligible to apply for a sabbatical leave. Applications for a sabbatical are due at the beginning of January of the year prior to the intended sabbatical. Sabbatical leaves must be recommended by the Associate Dean for Faculty and approved by the President or a designated representative and must follow the timeline outlined therein  (See Regent's Bylaw 5.14 and SPG 201.30-2 - Sabbatical Leave (Instructional).

The instructional faculty member granted sabbatical leave for the entire appointment period (9 months) receives one-half of the faculty member’s regular salary. If the leave is for one-half the appointment period, the individual receives the total regular salary for the period of the leave.

A faculty member granted a sabbatical leave is required to return to the University for a period of at least one year following the completion of the sabbatical leave. In the event the faculty member does not return to his or her duties at the University following a University-sponsored sabbatical, he or she will be expected to reimburse the University for the funds it contributed to the leave.

Scholarly Activity Leaves

Scholarly Activity Leaves not in excess of one year may be granted to members of the regular instructional faculty by the president or a designated representative on recommendation of the dean. These leaves may be granted to permit acceptance of prestigious fellowships or to permit acceptance of a temporary appointment at another institution when this appointment would, in the interest of the University, permit engagement in scholarly activities that are not otherwise practicably available and that will significantly enhance the individual’s professional effectiveness. Scholarly activity leaves are usually without salary, but if the award or available salary is less than the instructional faculty member’s regular salary, at the dean’s request, a supplement may be provided by the unit to maintain the staff member’s regular salary or a portion thereof. Supplements may be provided only if permitted by the rules of the fellowship or the other institution involved. (See SPG 201.30-4 - Scholarly Activity Leave). Faculty are expected to notify the Associate Dean for Faculty as early as possible; due to the timing of the notification and the required approval process, UMSI cannot guarantee that the leave will be granted for the dates it was requested however, the earlier a faculty member can notify the Associate Dean of Faculty, the better. 

Inter-governmental Leaves

Through agreements between U-M and agencies of the federal government, faculty are temporarily assigned to roles in those agencies, principally federal granting agencies. These agreements are intended to enhance cooperation between the University and federal agencies; to take advantage of unusual expertise, skills, or talents; or to provide professional development opportunities. They are for a specified and limited duration. For further information, see SPG 201.30-5 - Federal Intergovernmental Personnel Agreements.

Duty Off-Campus

When a faculty member’s duties require activities at a site away from U-M for a period of one month or more, the faculty member is placed on duty off-campus status for the appropriate period. Duty off-campus status for instructional faculty is reported to the Regents. Since University assignments and salary are continued during the period of duty off-campus, there is no effect on benefits. (See SPG 201.90 - Duty Off-Campus).

Insurance for Going Abroad

The U-M Business Travel insurance through Geoblue covers U-M faculty who are going abroad (eg. for sabbatical work).  You will be covered by this insurance for the first 180 days of your trip abroad.  If you will be abroad for more than 180 days and wish to continue having travel abroad health insurance you can purchase the GeoBlue U-M Study Abroad Health Insurance. The UHS Travel Abroad Health Insurance web page provides some good information about these travel abroad health insurance plans as well as the Personal/Leisure Travel insurance plan.