Leave Policies

There are several types of leaves for which a faculty member may choose to apply: sabbatical leave, leave for professional growth, leave of absence without pay, and leave for family and personal reasons.

When a faculty member is on leave, the essential curricular needs of the department will be met. Generally, two people from the same discipline should not be on leave simultaneously. The granting of a leave is contingent upon acceptance of the proposed leave plan by the Professional Interests Committee and the administration, and the continued normal operation of the college with reference to departmental staff and financial resources.

For more detailed information on the types of leave and policies governing faculty leaves-of-absence, please consult the current edition of the Whittier College Faculty Handbook.

General Policies Governing Leave-of-Absences

  • A faculty member who receives any leave of absence will normally be expected to return to Whittier College for a minimum of one full year of teaching.
  • The faculty member, the Professional Interests Committee, and the Dean of Faculty must agree in advance on how leaves other than sabbatical leaves will affect the timing of future sabbatical leaves.
  • In the case of non-tenured faculty, the faculty member, the Faculty Personnel Committee, and the Dean of Faculty must agree in advance on how leaves will affect the timing of tenure decision.
  • A faculty member who wishes to apply for a leave of absence should be certain to consult with the Human Resources Office regarding the financial implications of such a leave.
  • Faculty members should be aware that multiple years of leave could affect tenure and promotion decisions.

Standard Application Process for Leave-of-Absence

A faculty member is to submit a request for leave through the department chair to the Professional Interests Committee by a date chosen by the Professional Interests Committee near November 15 of the academic year preceding the academic year of the leave. The Committee will forward its recommendations to the Dean of Faculty by a date chosen by the Professional Interests Committee near December 15.

In some cases (such as a grant application which has not yet been decided upon), the faculty member may not know by the deadline whether a leave would be beneficial. In such cases, the faculty member is encouraged to apply by the deadline, indicating the tentative nature of the request. Approval of the leave does not obligate the faculty member to take the leave.

Furthermore, this deadline should not be construed to eliminate the possibility of a leave granted in connection with opportunities which were not know at the time of the deadline.