Sabbatical leave process is in jeopardy
Faculty to challenge board decision on sabbaticals
Salomon Baeza
Issue date: 5/15/09 Section: News
Rio Hondo's Faculty has recently begun discussions with school District officials over possible changes to a previous sabbatical policy that, unless resolved, may lead to an Unfair Labor Practices suit. Sabbaticals, for those unsure of its purpose, serve both the faculty and the students at Rio Hondo as a way of further developing a given professors educational practices.
Current policy allows sabbaticals for every seven year cycle of employment at the college and allows anywhere from three to a maximum of five faculty members on sabbatical. In the upcoming school year a total of three faculty members will be undertaking a sabbatical with the goal of strengthening their field and practices.
When on sabbatical instructors are given a time off from the usual teaching of classes and instead undergo a project in their given field, in exchange for the project and its future benefits faculty members are paid 85% of their regular salary.
To be allowed a sabbatical a proposed project is submitted, reviewed and then approved by a committee consisting of faculty and administration. If approved the professor, or instructor, and are given anywhere from six months to a year in which to complete the project.
Projects may consist of a variety of goals which can range from the writing of a book, studies in a particular field, or extensive research that may require a professor to travel. On the same note sabbaticals may also consist of several small projects or research expeditions that will allow the faculty member to expand their abilities and techniques.
One such sabbatical was recently taken by Professor of Anthropology Adam Wetsman who on a trip to Peru researched its most famous anthropological site Machu Picchu. Wetsman then used the research gained from the trip to expand on subject matter in his courses. Further projects undertaken by Wetsman included the development of audio-visual presentations for students who will be taking anthropology courses online.
Current policy allows sabbaticals for every seven year cycle of employment at the college and allows anywhere from three to a maximum of five faculty members on sabbatical. In the upcoming school year a total of three faculty members will be undertaking a sabbatical with the goal of strengthening their field and practices.
When on sabbatical instructors are given a time off from the usual teaching of classes and instead undergo a project in their given field, in exchange for the project and its future benefits faculty members are paid 85% of their regular salary.
To be allowed a sabbatical a proposed project is submitted, reviewed and then approved by a committee consisting of faculty and administration. If approved the professor, or instructor, and are given anywhere from six months to a year in which to complete the project.
Projects may consist of a variety of goals which can range from the writing of a book, studies in a particular field, or extensive research that may require a professor to travel. On the same note sabbaticals may also consist of several small projects or research expeditions that will allow the faculty member to expand their abilities and techniques.
One such sabbatical was recently taken by Professor of Anthropology Adam Wetsman who on a trip to Peru researched its most famous anthropological site Machu Picchu. Wetsman then used the research gained from the trip to expand on subject matter in his courses. Further projects undertaken by Wetsman included the development of audio-visual presentations for students who will be taking anthropology courses online.
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David "Dave" Siegris
David Siegrist
posted 8/09/09 @ 12:28 AM PST
Sabbaticals have always been a very productive benefit to the students. The professor comes back from the sabbatical refreshed, renewed, and updated in his/her
field of expertise. (Continued…)
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