However, as reported in the chapter on Research, Outreach, and Extension, NCSU faculty participate in this activity at about 10 percent of the rate that would be implied by a seven-year interval. The actual average is 29 per year rather than 242 per year. A significant increase in the use of scholarly leaves is needed. It should be noted, however, that faculty families often now include spouses with professional responsibilities inconsistent with a traditional study leave. Creative measures should be found to facilitate alternative arrangements in such cases to achieve the goals of taking scholarly leave.
Some faculty pursue professional development through directed research.
Support for such research may be available on a limited basis through the Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund. The Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund assists faculty members in initiating research and professional-development activities. Priority consideration is given to tenure-track faculty who have joined NCSU in the past three years. In addition, NCSU provides a base upon which faculty can develop grant applications to compete for external funds for research, extension, and teaching programs. In addition, NCSU faculty are permitted to perform external professional activities for pay.