Faculty & Staff Resources
Resources for SOP Faculty and Staff

SoP Sabbatical Policy

Approved by the Executive Committee on April 11, 2023

Purpose

To enable faculty members to engage in intensive study in order to enhance their research program, become more effective teachers and scholars, or to enhance their services to the University.

As per University of Wisconsin policy, sabbatical leave may also be granted for the purpose of enhancing teaching, course and curriculum development, or any other scholarly activities related to instructional programs within the field of expertise of the faculty member.

Please also review the campus sabbatical policy.

Guidelines

Eligibility

A faculty member is eligible for a sabbatical under the following terms:

  1. A faculty member must have completed six or more years of full-time service, or its equivalent, in the UW System and not have taken a sabbatical within the UW System during the prior six years of full-time service or equivalent.
  2. Tenure-track/Tenured and CHS faculty are eligible.
  3. Leaves of absence, regardless of funding source (including personal resources), will be excluded in determining years of full-time service.
  4. A sabbatical will not be awarded to:
    1. a faculty member denied reappointment to a permanent position in the year following a sabbatical leave, or
    2. a faculty member who does not plan to return to the institution from which the leave is granted for at least one academic year of full-time service after the conclusion of the sabbatical.

Plans Available

There are two types of sabbatical leaves available to UW–Madison faculty:

Plan 1:

Sabbatical leave for a period of both semesters in one academic year (and not cross academic years) and receive from the school financial support at any level up to 65 percent of his/her/their salary for that period, in accordance with the faculty member’s school policies. For C-basis faculty, Plan 1 will be 12 months. For A-basis faculty, Plan 1 will be 9 months (or one academic year)

Plan 2:

Sabbatical leave for one semester of an academic year and receive from the school financial support at any level up to the faculty member’s full salary compensation for that period. For C-basis faculty, Plan 2 will be 6 months. For A-basis faculty, Plan 2 will be 1 semester (4.5 months) NOTE: Creditable service for retirement purposes will vary depending on the length of the sabbatical and the level of compensation. A faculty member considering a sabbatical leave request should consult with a fringe benefits counselor prior to submitting a formal request. (Office of Human Resources/Benefit Services: (608) 262-5650)

SoP Sabbatical Policy