Faculty Leaves of Absence (Faculty Handbook Policy II.E.2)
Link to the Provost's website - Faculty Handbook Policy II.E.2. - Policy regarding leaves of absence, sabbaticals, and reduction in duties

Eligibility

  • Faculty at Associate or Full Professor ranks on the Clinician Educator, Research, or Tenure Tracks who have been on faculty for at least 6 years

Sabbatical Credits

  • Leave credits accrue at a rate of one credit per completed semester of full-time service (partial accrual during approved reduction in duties):
    • Maximum 24 credits = 1 year sabbatical
    • Credits are not accrued during sabbatical, however credit accrual will resume the semester following return.

    • Faculty members on a reduction in duties accrue credits at the same rate as their reduced percentage (e.g., 20% reduction, earns 0.80 credits per semester).

  • Faculty may take up to a maximum of two semesters of leave, regardless of the number of credits used. According to the University Faculty Handbook, Section II.E.2. Faculty Leaves of Absence, Faculty taking two consecutive semesters of leave must return for at least one semester, before requesting another sabbatical.

  • Credit accrual balance can be viewed in Workday. The credit balance displayed does not reflect any leave taken during the current semester. The Provost’s Office updates credit balances after each semester, typically within one month after each semester. Departments are expected to track leaves, maintain accurate credit records, and make necessary adjustments in advance of Workday updates to support effective planning.

  • Current credit accrual balance can be viewed in Workday.

Sabbatical Benefit

  • Sabbatical benefit is based on academic salary.
  • Does not include salary attributable to CPUP, administrative stipends, or any other compensation paid by an entity other than the University of Pennsylvania
  • Sabbatical benefit is paid out of University’s employee benefits pool.

Compressed Sabbaticals

  • Allows eligible faculty with CPUP/CHOPPA supplements some flexibility regarding leave time and some financial protection

Stay-batical

  • Same as sabbatical, but the faculty leave project is carried out at Penn.
  • The stay-batical credit, benefit, and application process is the same as for the regular sabbatical
  • Faculty make a written request to Chief/Chair, Dean.
  • Leave of Absence Application is completed by the department's Business Administrator (BA); signatures required by Business Administrator and Chair.

  • The BA submits the completed form and written request to Chief/Chair to OAA, Attention Erin Rossello erinro@upenn.edu.

*Sabbaticals are subject to review and approval by Chair, Dean, and Provost