Sabbatical Leave for Administrative Faculty
Why consider a sabbatical?
- Sabbaticals help employees recharge and return with new ideas and focus, benefiting both individuals and companies.
- Sabbaticals allow employees to explore personal goals, find inspiration for business growth, and develop new skills.
- Offering sabbaticals can foster loyalty, reduce turnover, show care for employees, and attract and retain talent.
-- Cornerstone
"We shouldn’t have to wait for something to break to give ourselves permission to explore, for a little while, what makes life worth living. So allow yourself to briefly turn down the volume around boardroom logistics, quarterly goals, or team dynamics, and let your quieter voice emerge: What are things that light up your curiosity, either now or when you were younger? Thus far in life, what do you most regret not having done? Your answers can point you in a new direction. My research suggests that a sabbatical is more than just a long vacation; it’s an investment for a better life."
-- Harvard Business Review: The Case for Sabbaticals — and How to Take a Successful One
"The colleges and universities that non-faculty educators work at would benefit from carving out a structure that promotes scholarship, professional development and renewal."
-- Read more from Josh Kim on the benefits of administrative sabbaticals.
Sabbatical Resources
The following resources are provided for members represented by the Administrative Faculty Senate who are part of the SUOAF collective bargaining unit.
SUOAF-AFSCME
“Sabbatic leaves are granted only for the benefit and advancement of the Connecticut State University and must be for purposes of scholarly and creative endeavors that enhance the member's professional competence. Upon the completion of six (6) years of full–time service, a member is eligible to be considered for sabbatic leave. After a sabbatic leave, a member becomes eligible for another such leave after the completion of an additional six (6) years of full–time service. Waivers of these time periods may be granted at the President's discretion.” -- SUOAF-AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement (Article 24.8)
Management and Confidential Professional Personnel
"Sabbaticals are granted to increase an employee’s value to the System by improving professional skills and thereby enriching the employer. Sabbatical leaves shall be granted for planned travel, study, formal education, research, writing or other experience of professional value. Such leave shall be available as a matter of privilege rather than a right and shall be granted to an eligible employee only in those cases where the criteria set forth below are met." -- Human Resources Policies for Management and Confidential Professional Personnel (Article 7.9)
Proposals for Management and Confidential Professional Personnel leaves must be submitted to an Institution President or System President, as appropriate. The proposal must include: 1. A full description of the activity to be undertaken; 2. A detailed explanation of how this activity will improve professional skills and is mutually beneficial to the Institution/CSCU and the individual; 3. The period for which the leave is requested; and 4. A description of the individual’s role, his/her prior service to the institution/Board of Regents, and other contributions to the System.
Approved Sabbaticals
Spring 2025
Dr. Bogdan Zamfir, Director of the Center for Educational and Assistive Technology, was approved for an administrative faculty sabbatical. Bo is investigating media literacy practices and collaborating on media literacy strategies as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar in Romania.
We look forward to the insights and innovations he will bring back to our community!
Sabbatical Leave Project Suggestion
The Administrative Faculty Senate values your input. Your feedback, suggestions, and ideas from across the campus community are crucial.
Please use this form to share ideas for sabbatical leave projects that you would like to share with the administration: Administrative Faculty Feedback Form