Section 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between WWU and United Faculty of Western Washington University provides the following information about faculty professional leave:

Professional leave is granted for the purpose of affording faculty members an opportunity to carry forward research, to improve teaching techniques or methods or to participate in other creative endeavors which by their nature and scope enable individuals to enhance their contributions to the programs of the university.

Faculty professional leave application forms are available from the dean of each college and from the Provost Office's Web site at http://www.wwu.edu/provost/faculty/documents/plform-091208.doc. Completed applications must be submitted by department chairs to the appropriate dean by Oct. 15.

Decisions to approve professional leave applications will be made by Provost Catherine Riordan and President Bruce Shepard by Jan. 15, 2010.

Additional information about the professional leave process is located in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.