The University of Memphis

Professional Development Assignments

POLICIES

Professional Development Assignments are awards made available through private funding and allow faculty members to develop proficiencies as teachers, scholars, and researchers. The period of an award may be for one semester, at full pay, or for one academic year at half pay. Professional Development Assignments approved by the University may be credited toward completion of the probationary period.

All tenured as well as tenure-track faculty are eligible for Professional Development Assignments, although priority will be given to faculty who would ordinarily qualify for a sabbatical leave.

To provide opportunity for continued professional growth and development of University faculty.

1. Professional Development Assignments are awarded at full pay for one semester or half pay for one year. When an assignment is awarded for the summer, the period of time and the compensation are negotiated by the college dean.
2. Professional Development Assignment funds may only be used to hire part-time replacements during the academic year.  During the summer, the funds are to be used to compensate the faculty member directly within policy restrictions on total summer compensation [http://policies.memphis.edu/UM1490.htm].
3. Professional Development Assignment funds may not be carried forward into future years.
4. Faculty members are encouraged to seek additional, non-University support for the period of their leave, and attempts to secure funds should be included in the proposal.

1. Proposal by a faculty member to the dean via the unit chair or director with specific plan for the use of the time and a statement of the expected benefit to the faculty member, college, and the University. The dean forwards the request to the vice provost for academic affairs who with the dean coordinates the funding. The vice provost for academic affairs forwards the recommendation to the provost. 
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Endorsement from the department chair.
4. Agreement to remain with The University of Memphis for at least one full year after the assignment is completed.
5. Report to the college dean within three months after the assignment describing the accomplishment and benefits of the assignment.  A copy of the report is to be forwarded to the vice provost for academic affairs.

http://policies.memphis.edu/UM1490.htm