Sabbatical

Sabbatical leave is a privilege intended to benefit both Austin Community College (ACC) and the employee. Recipients are recommended by a committee of faculty, professional-technical staff, classified staff, and administrators, with final approval granted by the College Chancellor.

Sabbatical leave may be granted for the purpose of personal and/or professional improvement that, in turn, benefits the College.

Eligibility: Sabbatical leave may be granted to staffing table employees who have worked full-time at ACC for at least six (6) consecutive years. For details, please see the Guidelines/Procedures for AR 4.0502.07.1 Sabbatical Leave.

Application Timeline: Sabbatical applications for leave to be taken in FY27 are due Jan. 30, 2026. (Note: Sabbatical leave is taken in the fiscal year after the application year. For example, applications submitted in January of FY26 are for leave that will occur in FY27.)

We encourage all interested faculty and staff to attend one of our upcoming sessions:

1. 1. 1. Sabbatical Process Deep Dive
         Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 | Noon–1 p.m. (Online)
      2. Sabbatical Process Deep Dive
         Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 | 2–3 p.m. (Online)

👉Register here for the Sabbatical Information Sessions

How to Submit a FY27 Sabbatical Application

1. Complete the Sabbatical Preparation Module (required).
2. Visit with your Supervisor to discuss the plan to apply for the upcoming fiscal year. This will help your supervisor make staffing plans and accommodations.
3. Prepare a detailed narrative of what you plan to accomplish while on sabbatical.

Narrative format:

• • • • 5 -7 pages (not including cover page or references)
      • 12 – point Times New Roman font
      • Double-spaced
      • MLA or APA
      • If referencing a digital document, describe and cite the content in the narrative and include the link in the references section

Narrative should include the following sections:

• • • • Introduction
        • • Purpose of Leave & Objectives
      • Background Information & Literature Review
      • Benefits
        • • To College
          • Professional Growth
      • Methodology
      • Resources and Collaboration
      • Deliverables

4. Please review the Sabbatical Guide and Evaluation Rubric for the Sabbatical Leave Proposal for more information.
5. Review ACC Library Services for support on research methods, APA/MLA formatting, and ACC’s Copyright policy

• • • • Use this form to meet with a Librarian (optional)

• • • • If applicable, complete the Copyright Agreement forms and upload them at the prompt in the application.

6. Acquire the preceding three years of evaluation reports to include and upload at the prompt in the application. According to Sabbatical Leave G/P 4.0502.07.1, applicants must have received a satisfactory evaluation status. No application will be considered without these reports.
7. Compile a Sabbatical Application Packet in a Google Folder and meet with a Faculty Development Staff member (required) to review the packet at a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the deadline (on or before 1/17/2026). Items to be included in the Google folder are as follows:

• • • • Your detailed narrative.
      • 3 years of evaluation summary forms.
      • If applicable, upload documentation confirming receipt of any award, grant, fellowship, or other arrangements
      • If applicable, upload letters of support and/or specific proposed courses that will be taken, taught, or created.
      • If Copyright Agreement forms are necessary for this project, upload a completed Standard Form and/or an Alternate Agreement Form.
      • The goal of this meeting is to make sure your application meets the application guidelines (i.e., 5-7 pages, not to include cover page or references, APA or MLA formatting, etc.) and that the application packet is complete. The quality and college impact of your application will be evaluated by the committee using the rubric.

8. Send your Sabbatical Application Packet Google Folder and the Sabbatical Leave Approval Form (with eSign Capabilities) at a minimum of 1 week prior to the application deadline (on or before 1/24/2026) to:

• • • • First to your immediate Supervisor for approval and signature.
      • If approved, then request approval and signature from your next-level Supervisor.
      • If approved, request approval and signature from your highest-level Supervisor.
      • For example, a faculty member would submit to their Department Chair, then the Dean, and then AVC.

Note: Please keep your supervisor informed of your progress so they know when to expect your application and can allocate appropriate time for review and signature.

9. Finally, complete the Sabbatical Leave Application Form (must be logged in to your ACC Gmail account).

Note: If you modify your materials after meeting with the Faculty Development team member, please resubmit your Sabbatical Leave Application Form at a minimum of 1 week prior to the application deadline (on or before 1/24/2026) to ensure we have the correct documents.

Post-Sabbatical Leave

If you are approved for Sabbatical Leave, you are required to submit this Final Report & Planned Presentation Date Form within 90 days from the date of return to regular duties by the employee. The report shall summarize the sabbatical experience, including acquisition of skills or completion of research or a community service project; shall outline the activities engaged in during the sabbatical leave; and shall explain how this experience will be useful to Austin Community College.

Contacts

Questions about the application or sabbatical procedures?

Please contact the sabbatical facilitator:
Phone: 512-223-7885
Email: facdev@austincc.edu

Questions about copyright and fair use?

Please contact our ACC Copyright Officer:
Courtney Mlinar
Elgin Campus Library
Phone: 512-223-9433
Email: courtney.mlinar@austincc.edu