Sabbatical

I took a hiatus for the summer, but now I'm re-fueled, ready to restart the writing engine.

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:

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 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.

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!