Faculty Resources

Prairie View A&M University strives to create an environment where faculty feel inspired and enabled to reach their full potential. The Office of Academic Affairs provides support to ensure that faculty at all levels are effective teachers, productive scholars, and engaged university citizens. We’ve provided some important resources for faculty to better acquaint you with Prairie View A&M University.

For additional information, visit the PVAMU Faculty & Staff page for more information on programming, resources, and important events happening across campus.

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Selected Academic Affairs Memos and Statements

Faculty Development/Sabbatical Leave Program

The faculty development/sabbatical leave program is designed to provide full or partial salary support to faculty who will go on leave to engage in a project that gives the candidate an opportunity to expand their expertise in innovative instructional scholarship or creative research experiences that are aligned with the mission of the University and needs of the department/college. These projects should substantially raise the level of quality in their department, school, or college; as well as, at the University and provide an opportunity that leads to the advancement of the candidate’s research agenda and/or innovative instructional practices.

Please read this information before completing your application.

  1. To be eligible, a faculty member must have served at least three consecutive academic years in a tenured or tenure-track faculty position at Prairie View A&M University and provide documentation of a good Performance Evaluation (4.0 and above).
  2. Candidate must be in good standing with the University. (Provide a copy of HR release form)
  3. Candidate must secure a signed Statement of Support from his/her department head (immediate supervisor) and dean.

Full-time regular faculty who are tenured or tenure track will receive priority consideration. In exceptional cases, non-tenure track faculty will be considered for the faculty development/sabbatical leave program.

  1. All proposals for faculty development leave will be evaluated by one elected faculty member from each of the academic schools and colleges. The chair shall be appointed by the President or his/her designee. The committee will make recommendations to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will forward his/her recommendations to the President.
  2. There will be a limited number of awards for Fall 2023; therefore, the most competitive applications that align with the University Strategic emphasis will be recommended to the Board of Regents for approval.
  3. Faculty members on development leave may accept grants for study, research or travel, but may not accept employment from other institutions or sources.
  4. The combined pay during the leave from all sources cannot exceed 100 percent of the faculty member’s salary. Any arrangements which leads to total pay in excess of 100 percent of the faculty member’s salary, excluding reimbursed housing or transportation expenses, requires Board of Regents approval.
  5. Within 45 days of returning from leave each recipient must provide the following:
    • a final report to the individuals completed work and
    • a scheduled date of presentation of your work with the Center for Teaching Excellence.
  6. This report should use the form posted on the Office of Academic Affairs website (www.pvamu.edu/academicaffairs/sabbatical) and should explain activities undertaken while on leave, the benefits to both the faculty member and the institution, and impacts. Final reports must be submitted by email to assigned department head and copies forwarded to the college dean and the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@pvamu.edu.
  7. Candidates that are awarded a sabbatical leave are required to return to the University for a full contract year of service following the sabbatical leave. If an individual does not return or remain for the full contract year following the sabbatical leave, the amount received for the sabbatical leave must be paid back to the University.

A completed request for the Application for Faculty Development/Sabbatical Leave Program must include the following:

  1. Benefit Statement (Template)
    • Detailed description of benefits to the faculty member and university. Describe how the leave will benefit and/or have an impact on:
      • Research program
      • Students/teaching
    • Department, college and/or university
  2. Detailed proposal (Template)
    • (500-700 words) describing the what, when, where and why of the proposed faculty development leave.
  3. Transmittal Letter (Template)
  4. Abstract of the purpose of the request (Template)
    • (100-word maximum).
    • In lay terms, describe the nature and purpose of the proposed development leave.
    • This will be forwarded to the Board of Regents along with the university’s recommendation and request to approve the leave.
    • These abstracts should include:
      • Place where leave will take place
      • Activities that will take place during the leave
    • Benefits of the leave to (provide details for all those applicable):
      • Research program
      • Students/teaching
      • Department, college and/or university
    • Expected impact
  5. Letters of Support (Template)
    • At least three (3) letters of support are required and must be submitted with the proposal.
    • At least one (1) letter must be from outside Prairie View A&M University.
    • Letters must address the scope of the leave and the benefits of the leave to the individual and the field.
    • The letters from the department head and the dean are not included as part of the required three (3) letters.
  6. Curriculum Vitae (Template)
    • A CV must be submitted with all proposals (not to exceed 10 pages)
  7. Statement of Support from the department head (Template)
  8. Statement of Support from the Dean (Template)
  9. Copy of Previous Year Annual Evaluation (Template)
  10. Copy of HR Clearance (Template)

To apply, complete your application at Faculty Development/Sabbatical Leave Program Application. Upon completion of your application, the system will automatically notify your Dean as well as the program coordinator. The evaluation review and recommendation deadline dates are to be used as a guide. Following the review by the department heads and deans, the appointed evaluation committee will review and make recommendations to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs will review and make a recommendation to the President.

Fall 2023 – Spring 2025

Faculty Development Sabbatical Applications

Due Dates

Sabbatical SemesterApplication Due Date
(Committee)
Application Due Date
(Provost & Senior VPAA)
Board of Regents Agenda Due Date
Fall 2023February 10, 2023March 20,2023May 15, 2023
Spring 2024May 19, 2023June 20, 2023August 15,2023
Fall 2024February 9, 2024March 20, 2024May 15,2024
Spring 2025May 20, 2024June 20, 2024August 15, 2024

Past Voluntary Separation Program

Prairie View A&M University has established a voluntary separation program for tenured faculty. The service that you have provided the students, University, and professional community is beyond measure. We thank you for your contribution to making Prairie View A&M University an “institution of the first-class”.

Below, participants are able to access the documents that outline procedures and guidelines, program eligibility, application materials and an exhibit that list the number of eligible and ineligible participants.

For immediate questions, please contact your respective dean. As always, you are welcome to contact the Office of Academic Affairs if you have any additional questions at academicaffairs@pvamu.edu or by phone (936) 261-2175.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the method that will be used to determine how much I will receive?

Answer: The amount of $50,000 is the only figure that will be used to determine how much money received.

Question: Will VSP payout be based on length of service and on one’s pay?

Answer: The VSP payout will be based upon the length of service eligibility rule of 80.

Question: Is VSP for one year or more based on the system policy?

Answer: VSP program offering is based on a year by year determination.

Question: Will it be tax free?

Answer: The payout will not be tax free.

Question: When and how do you apply?

Answer: Now. All documentation can be found above.

Question: Who do I send the application to?

Answer: The application should be provided to the Dean of your college.

Question: Is it effective for this academic year?

Answer: The effective date is September 1, 2017

Question: Will vacation be included?

Answer: Faculty with vacation will be paid out separately from the VSP Program.