Professional Development
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16.8. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
16.8.1. Purpose. Professional development funds are made available to reimburse employees for approved activities that relate to the bargaining unit member’s responsibilities at the College. The following are examples of activities that may be appropriate for approval:
Tuition and fees for course work relevant to the member’s employment;
Conference, seminar and workshop fees relevant to the member’s employment;
Professional society membership relevant to the member’s employment;
Travel related to the above.
16.8.2. Application. Bargaining unit members may apply for professional development dollars by completing the “Application for Approval of Professional Development Activities (AFT Bargaining Unit)” form which may be secured from the President’s office or that of his/her designee. The completed form should be returned to the President or designee no later than May 1st for activities to be undertaken between June 1 and November 30, and no later than November 1st for activities to be undertaken between December 1 and May 31. The employer will provide timely notice of the application period and the process for consideration of applications.
16.8.3 Professional Development Committee. Each college shall establish a professional development committee of four members, two designated by the Federation and two by the employer. This committee shall meet twice a year, preferably no later than May 8thth and November 8th, to consider proposals that have been referred to the committee by the President or his/her designee. After reviewing each application for professional development funds, the committee shall recommend to the President whether the proposal should be approved or denied and, if approved, the amount recommended for approval. The committee shall inform each applicant, in writing, of its recommendation. The committee shall also make a written record of all applications received, including the name of the applicant, the nature of the activity and the committee’s recommendation.
16.8.4. Role of President. No later than May 15th for June to November activities and no later than November 15th for December to May activities, the President of the College or his/her designee shall review all applications for professional development funds, together with the recommendations of the professional development committee, and shall approve or deny each proposal. If a proposal is approved, the President or his/her designee shall determine the amount approved. Thereafter, the President or his/her designee shall inform the unit member, in writing, whether the application is approved or denied and, if approved, the amount approved.
16.8.5. Bargaining unit member’s role. Following approval of professional development activities, it is the responsibility of the bargaining unit member to register for the conference, workshop, course or seminar, where applicable and, where travel is involved, to complete and submit a travel authorization form to the appropriate college official.
16.8.6. Reimbursement Procedure. Bargaining unit members must request reimbursement for approved professional development activities immediately following completion of the activity. To the extent possible, reimbursements will be processed in accordance with the following schedule:
Requests for reimbursement received on or before December 1 will be processed with the last full pay period in December;
Requests for reimbursement received on or before June 1 will be processed with the last full pay period in June.
Timely reimbursement is contingent upon completion of required forms and submission of adequate documentation of expenditures. Purchase of books, journals and other personal property are not eligible for reimbursement. Travel expenses shall not be reimbursed unless prior approval was obtained in accordance with current travel regulations. 16.8.7. Records of professional development applications, committee recommendations, a president’s decisions and reimbursement requests shall be shared with the Federation upon request.
16.8.8. The dates included in this section for the submission of applications, the consideration of applications by the Professional Development Committee, decisions by the President or his/her designee and submission of reimbursement requests will be subject to review and renegotiation by the parties effective July 1, 2009. If neither party seeks to modify this section, the dates will remain in place for the duration of the agreement.
16.8.9. Decisions under this section are final. |
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