The Interim Professional Development Release provides time for professional development activities, such as study, research, or writing. The Interim Professional Development Release is administered in accordance with the following conditions:
- Faculty who are tenured, tenure-track, or on a continuing contract are eligible for an Interim Professional Development Release upon completion of three years of full-time service with no Professional Development Release.
- Approval of an interim professional development release will be made by the Divisional Dean based on a written professional development plan submitted by the faculty member to the Divisional Dean. The plan must be submitted by the last Monday in September for any release for the current academic year.
- The professional development release is taken during Interim unless, because of staffing or other institutional needs, an exception is approved for a given year by the Divisional Dean. Faculty may request to take their professional development release during fall or spring if the change in term will enhance the planned professional development project. A written request should be submitted to the divisional dean. Approval to move the Professional Development Release to fall or spring is made each time a faculty member is eligible for a release.
- Faculty are required to submit a report on their Professional Development Release to their Divisional Dean. For releases taken during fall and interim, the report must be submitted by the first Monday following spring break. For spring releases, the report must be submitted the first Monday in June.
- A full-year sabbatical includes interim as part of the sabbatical. Therefore, the interim during the sabbatical year is not considered to be an Interim Professional Development Release. This applies for full-year sabbaticals only.
- Whenever possible, first-year tenure track faculty will be granted a professional development release within their first year, usually during interim. Based on departmental needs, the Divisional Dean may adjust the timing of this course release. First year faculty are not required to submit a Professional Development Release plan or report.
- Occasionally, it may not be possible to approve all requests for a professional development release because of staffing or other institutional needs. In cases where all requests for an interim course release are not approved, priority is established on the basis of the number of previous interims taught without a release. If the Divisional Dean requests a delay in a release, the faculty member will be eligible for a subsequent release the fourth interim after the originally scheduled release.
- Faculty who are eligible for an interim professional development release in a given year may choose not to take it. They may take the release in any subsequent year. The interim when the release is taken becomes the new starting point for determining eligibility for the next release.
- Exceptions from this general policy are possible only under special circumstances, as determined by the Divisional Dean.
Policy Effective September 1, 2012
Note: The Interim Professional Development Release applies in all schools of the University. In CAPS/GS and the Seminary, the faculty member is not required to take the release during interim. CAPS/GS faculty should consult the Dean for Education, Communication and Ministry for more information. Seminary faculty should contact the Vice President and Dean of the Seminary.
Office of the Provost