Funds are available for the purpose of providing faculty members with a reduction of one unit in their teaching load during the academic year.

Deadline: Applications are due by February 1.

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Eligibility

All tenure-line faculty are encouraged to apply, especially those who have not had a release unit within the past three years. Faculty are eligible to receive only one release unit in any given year. Faculty already awarded a release unit will not be awarded a second release unit for work on the same project.

Because release units support professional development and are intended to lead to future scholarly productivity, faculty who plan to retire or leave the university in the year following receipt of a release unit should not apply. In years where the number of applicants exceeds the number of available awards, the University Enrichment Committee will consider the degree to which an applicant has been supported in the past with various sources of university funding.

The released unit is not intended for course development since this is a continuing function of all faculty members. Neither is the release unit intended to supplement a sabbatical or other full leave. Released time is subject to the ability of the department to provide coverage for a released unit or find suitable supplementary staff.

Application

The application consists of:

  1. Completed Application Form.
  2. Applicant's statement (2-3 pages) specifying:
    1. project abstract
    2. objectives of the release time
    3. activity(ies) for which the release is requested
    4. a research and writing timeline
    5. an explanation of the necessity of released time for this activity
    6. professional goals and anticipated outcomes
  3. Department chair form evaluating the feasibility of the project, recommending approval or disapproval, verifying the course to be deleted, and indicating whether a replacement is necessary.
  4. For research that involves the use of human participants or animals, please be aware that appropriate approval must be obtained before beginning research. Please consult IRB and/or IACUC approval processes information on the university's website for details.

Materials other than those specified are not desired.

The electronic application form, 2-3 page statement, and Chair's approval form will be presented to the University Enrichment Committee by the Academic Deans' Office. The Committee will rank the proposals and will forward the proposals to the Office of the Provost for final approval based on curricular and budgetary considerations.

Deadline

Applications for released time are due February 1, for both the subsequent fall and spring semesters.

Reporting

Faculty receiving release time shall provide a written report of the activities undertaken. This report shall be accompanied by a manuscript, research report, or their equivalent. The report should be sent by email to the enrichment@pugetsound.edu, with the department chair copied on the message. All release time reports are due no later than August 31 of the year during which the release was taken.