A limited number of Professional Development (PD) leaves will be granted each year for the purpose of investing in a full-time lecturer’s ability to engage in pedagogical and/or curricular innovation. Full-time lecturers on renewable contracts may apply for a one-semester PD leave. A full-time lecturer granted a PD leave is paid their full salary and retains all employee benefits during the leave. It is expected that the lecturer will not receive salary from an outside source during the leave. Those taking a PD leave must return to full-time service for at least one year following the conclusion of the paid leave, contingent on their reappointment.
In order to make the PD leave possible, responsibilities within the department or program will be adjusted to take account of the lecturer’s absence. If, in the opinion of the Chair, Director, and/or Dean, such adjustment is not possible, the leave application will not be considered. If a PD leave request is denied by the Chair or Director due to a determination that the responsibilities of the lecturer cannot be adjusted, this may be appealed to the Dean.
Lecturers interested in a PD leave should submit a Leave of Absence Request Form and a description of their plans to the Chair or Director who reviews its merits, consults with the appropriate departmental or programmatic faculty, and informs the lecturer of his or her recommendation. The leave proposal, approved by the Chair or Director, is due in the CAS Office of Faculty Actions each year for the subsequent academic year. All ranks of renewable full-time lecturers are eligible to apply; strong preference will be given to those with 5 years or more of full-time service in the College of Arts & Sciences, and/or 5 years or more of full-time service since their last PD leave. For leaves in Academic Year 2024/25, proposals are due to Faculty Actions by November 17, 2023. Departments and Programs should set appropriate internal due dates to allow adequate time for review and submission to the College by the deadline. The Dean will convene a committee of full-time lecturers to review PD proposals and rank applicants. Criteria for ranking will include the quality and impact of an applicant’s teaching, service, and leadership at BU; the quality of the PD proposals; and the potential benefit of the PD work for the institution and the applicant’s professional and intellectual advancement. The Dean will endeavor to fund at least two per year, contingent on available funding and sufficient numbers of fundable proposals.
Lecturers must submit a brief (approximately one page) report following the conclusion of their leave. The report should outline activities during the leave period and should be submitted via e-mail to Alex Bellan within one month of the end of the leave.
Professional Development leaves are awarded for the purpose of allowing lecturers to devote their time to pedagogical and curricular innovation. The PD leave is not a reward for past service or accomplishments. Lecturers should not be asked to undertake any significant service activities during their leave.