“University education is not just teaching; you have to be contributing something new to your field” says Dr. Ann McClellan, an English professor here at Plymouth State University. “We need to remember that we love doing research.” Sabbatical is the way to do this.
Many people think of Sabbatical as a paid vacation – a semester or a whole year off to gallivant and spend tuition dollars on luxury. This is not quite the case, says McClellan, who is currently in the middle of her one-semester Sabbatical. She worked on finishing her book that is currently at the publisher’s, and spent the past two months in London doing research for her new book project, about Sherlock Holmes.
Professors who are hoping to take a Sabbatical must plan far in advance. They must apply a year ahead of time, with a proposal for the work and research they would like to complete. They must also tell the University what kind of Sabbatical they would like to take. They can take one semester at full pay or a full year at half pay every 6 or 7 years. PSU offers a third option for its faculty – every three years, they are eligible to take one semester at half pay.
However, it is not as easy as simply asking to take some time off. Faculty must be working and contributing to their fields while teaching, advising, writing recommendation letters, and so much more. The University must approve your request for the Sabbatical, and your department must show that they will be able to cover the courses their faculty members will be temporarily abandoning.
However, once all of the paperwork and research is done, Sabbatical can begin to resemble its roots: Sabbath, or the day of rest. “You come back with a ‘Sabbatical Glow’!” said McClellan, who said that those on Sabbatical are often reminded that it is also a time to relax and have fun.
“I saw three plays, two concerts, several museums, film festivals, cultural festivals, a film premier,” said McClellan of her time in London. “It’s just so pleasant!”
Sabbaticals do put a slight financial burden on the school and the departments, because replacements may need to be hired to teach abandoned classes. Additionally, the department must decide how to handle the students who have advisors that are on Sabbatical. According to the PSU website, if a faculty member is on Sabbatical for one semester, they can decide if the department chair will take on the advisees or if they will be divided up amongst the entire department. If they are away for the entire year, the Undergraduate Advising Center will officially reassign students to new advisors. However some, like McClellan, will remain in contact with their advisees for advising week and other situations.
Sabbatical is a privilege for university professors, and, McClellan says, is essential to the continuation of academia, for the excitement and rejuvenation that comes with it will spill over to students and colleagues alike.