Proposed changes to C200
Comment period runs February 14, 2023 through March 20, 2023. Please send comments to for the Office of the University Secretary to collect and submit to the appropriate committees.
The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee (AF&T) has reviewed the current Sabbatical Leave policy and is recommending changes to reflect best practices in higher education, current UNM processes and procedures, and align with Collective Bargaining Agreement Unit 1. The Policy is being revised to:
- Added a Policy Rationale Section and a paragraph to the Policy Statement Section to align with the new format of policies in the Faculty Handbook. This added language aligns with the intent of the current Sabbatical Leave policy. It also clarifies the types of academic activities that can qualify for sabbatical.
- Eligibility Subsection: Propose removal of the restriction that a sabbatical will not be granted to subsidize graduate work or work on advanced degrees. This reflects the value that a specific advanced degree may have in advancing a faculty member’s academic scholarship and professional development and enhance their contribution to UNM.
- Options Subsection: added language to indicate that part-time faculty are eligible for a sabbatical that is prorated for their FTE. This reflects current practice. It clarifies the time frame when a faculty member can apply for sabbatical. In addition, it clarifies that a faculty member may supplement their salary while on sabbatical. This is common practice at other institutions.
- Restrictions, Subsection 1: Added language that states, “if it is necessary for a faculty member to defer a sabbatical, the duration required for eligibility for a subsequent sabbatical will be reduced by the length of the deferral.” This aligns with Collective Bargaining Agreement Unit 1 and creates equity across UNM, especially for faculty in small departments that can be negatively impacted due to limited resources and reflects best practices at other colleges and universities.
- Procedures Section:
- Delete the sections that place a limit on the number of sabbaticals that can be granted. These sections highlight such practice in small departments. We researched current practice at 26 institutions (big, small, public, private): 21 placed no limitation on the number of sabbaticals granted; 5 placed limitations on the number of sabbaticals granted, of those only 2 placed limitations by department, the other 3 placed the limitations at the institution level, and one clearly stated, “Requests for leaves from faculty members of small or large departments shall receive equal consideration.” AF&T adopted this language.
- Subsection 4: Clarify the procedure differences between main campus and HSC and between nine-month and twelve-month faculty.
- Subsections 5, 6, & 7: Add language reflecting current practices at UNM and clarifying eligibility for annual leave accrual for twelve-month faculty taking a sabbatical.
Associated web page updates
- C200: Sabbatical Leave: Policy revision (Published)