Sabbatical & Professional Development Leave Program

We have received official notice from the Provost’s Office about the Professional Development Leave (PDL) program for 2011-12. This memo presents information about the number of PDLs offered, the application process, the selection process, and the implementation calendar.
 
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the College of Fine Arts will offer one (1) Professional Development Leave for one semester or an acceptable equivalent (for example, a two-semester leave at half-pay).
 
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
 
A list of employees eligible for PDLs in the College of Fine Arts and the 2011-12 application form is attached to this message. Applicants are to submit the following to their school directors by Friday, October 15:
 
· The completed application form
· A 750-word description of the activities proposed for the leave period, including the location where these activities will take place, any anticipated supplementary income, and a statement of the benefits of the proposed activities to the University, the profession, and to you. PDL applicants should demonstrate that the purpose of the project or work would improve the productivity of the department or function of which the employee is a part.
· A current resume
 
A link to the sabbatical/PDL application form can be found on the Provost’s Office website: http://www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/facdev/career/sabbatical.shtml. Applicants must provide all information requested on the application form.
 
 
 
SELECTION PROCEDURES
 
Proposed Professional Development programs should comprise projects that would improve the productivity of the department or function of which the employee is a part. The College of Fine Arts selection process complies with the following rules:
 
 
1. Each application shall contain an appropriate outline of the project or work to be accomplished during the leave.
2. PDL applicants should demonstrate that the purpose of the project or work would improve the productivity of the department or function of which the employee is a part. Unit heads may define these terms.
3. No more than one (1) employee in each department/unit need be granted leave at the same time if staffing problems arise.
4. Units must use an elected faculty committee to make recommendations on awards.
 
The faculty committee was elected by and from the tenured, full-time faculty at the August 17, 2010 College faculty meeting. Committee members for the current application cycle are:
1. Glenn Willumson
2. Elizabeth Graham
3. Joan Frosch
 
The College of Fine Arts Sabbatical/PDL committee reviews the applications carefully and submits a ranked list of recommended proposals to the Dean. They score the proposals on the following criteria:
1. Track record, or UF history and record of accomplishments
2. Viability or practicality of the proposal as presented.
3. Merits of the proposal as presented.
4. Worthiness of the proposal to UF, College, School, profession, and applicant. The proposed project or work would improve the productivity of the department or function of which the employee is a part.
5. Quality of the proposal as presented.
 
Each criterion earns up to 2 points, for a total committee score of 10. This score is combined with director rankings and years of service/years since the last PDL to form an overall score. In the event of a tie, the dean makes the final decision on the award. Professional Development awards will be reviewed in the Office of the Provost before final approval is given.
 
 
 
CALENDAR
 
The College of Fine Arts, in compliance with the newly established timeline in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and deadlines set forth by the Provost’s Office, has established the following calendar for the 2011-12 PDL program:


 Election of College Sabbatical/PDL Selection Committee    August 17, 2010 
Applications due from eligible employees to                         October 15, 2010School Director
 
Applications and Director’s ranking due from                       November 15, 2010
School to the Dean's Office                                                     
Selection Committee submits recommendations to Dean    January 15, 2011 
Recipients of PDLs notified of award                                     January 31, 2011 
Recipients of PDLs confirm acceptance of                             February 15, 2011award to Dean
 

Please do not hesitate to contact Timothy S. Brophy at 273-1484 or e-mail him at tbrophy@arts.ufl.edu if you have questions about the sabbatical leave program for 2011-12.