Statement Regarding Sabbatical Request

By Pauline Hale, CU-Boulder Spokesperson
August 19, 2005

Interim Provost Susan Avery has notified Professor Ward Churchill that she is delaying her decision on his sabbatical request, pending the outcome of the current inquiry into research misconduct allegations against the professor.  The initial inquiry phase of that review is expected to be concluded shortly.

The decision to delay approval is based on the fact that research and scholarship are central to the purpose of sabbatical leaves.

We expect that, if the research misconduct allegations are not referred for full investigation, the sabbatical request would be approved by the Interim Provost and forwarded through the normal campus and system levels of review for subsequent action. 

If the research misconduct allegations are referred for investigation, the final decision on the sabbatical request would be delayed until that investigation is completed.  A full investigation of referred allegations may require as much as five months, under the Laws of the Regents.

Sabbaticals represent an important opportunity for faculty development as well as a means of advancing the aims of the University.  Tenured faculty are eligible to apply for sabbaticals after six years of regular full-time service.

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