So, let's begin with a small discussion about sabbatical. The central concept of a sabbatical is "rest" which might also include training and/or research, reflection. Many universities and colleges have changed the label for this so-called "time off" to such terms as "Faculty Professional Improvement Leave" or some other productive-work type directive. Indeed, my own university seems is quite clear about what is expected of faculty on sabbatical:
I look at my small neighborhood of ten houses (a dead-end street near the downtown of a tiny city), and reflect upon the work that the sixteen adults do. One of us is on Welfare; another is on Disability; five of us are retired (on pensions and/or Social Security). Nine of us hold full-time jobs. Of the working adults, only two of us have a college education of any kind--the two professors. The one on Welfare has a B.A. and is looking for a job.
The university permits a tenured faculty member who has completed at least seven years of full-time service to the university and has the rank of assistant professor or higher to be freed of instructional or official responsibilities and granted a faculty professional improvement leave for the purposes of: upgrading professional skills; acquiring new skills; or intellectual and professional development that will be of benefit to the individual and to the university.
I know how my small neighborhood sees me: working hard for nine months with three months off for summer vacations, unless I choose to teach extra classes then. Even my own mother seems to see it that way. I cannot speak for teachers, or for professors at other universities and colleges, but I can tell you that during our summers "off" the tenured and tenure-track faculty at my university (on all campuses) are expected to complete research and work toward completing publications. Regardless, no one--teachers or professors--is paid during those three months, regardless of what they do or do not do: it is a nine month salary, not twelve.
So, please excuse me if I feel a bit defensive about being on sabbatical this semester: I've published a lot in the past several years; I've taught a lot in the past several years; anyone will tell you I've done a lot of service (committee work, involvement with students outside the classroom,...). I need a rest! That's a moot point, however, because I have promised to dramatically improve my ASL fluency and to complete three chapters and an introduction to a book during my "rest"--at minimum.
Good night!
