Part III — Administrative Policies

Section 1
Earlham College Staff Professional Development Fund

The College provides funding on an annual basis to assist full-time and part-time staff employees with the cost of professional development activities, such as course work at other colleges, seminars, training sessions, etc. Employee Council has been given the responsibility for allocating these funds in response to requests from staff employees.

To be eligible for professional development funds, an employee must complete at least six (6) months of service at the College. To apply for funding, an employee must submit a written request to the Convener of Employee Council outlining the intended professional development activity, the time period involved, and the amount of funding desired. Requests should be submitted in a timely manner well in advance of any due dates keeping in mind that Employee Council normally meets on a monthly basis.

Funding will normally not cover food or lodging; funding will not be provided for textbooks, supplies, or travel related to course work taken at Earlham, Ivy Tech, or IU East. In the event that demand is likely to exceed the amount of funds available, Employee Council will normally allocate funds on the basis of the following priorities:

1. Requests from employees who have not previously requested funds.
2. Requests which are clearly job related.
3. Requests from previous applicants who have successfully carried out their proposed program.
4. Requests which are part of a degree program.

If a professional development activity occurs during an employee's regular work schedule, then the supervisor must approve participation in the activity in writing to the Business Office, stating how the employee's work will be covered. The employee will not be paid for the hours which he/she would have worked; however, the supervisor may provide the employee with the opportunity to make up the lost work time during the same work week in which the professional development activity occurs. With the approval of the supervisor, an employee may use vacation time or personal time in such situations.

If a supervisor directs a staff employee to attend a class, seminar, or other training activity as part of the staff employee’s job responsibilities, the department is usually expected to bear the cost of that activity, including the regular hourly wage for hours missed. Professional development funds are not typically allocated for these activities.

ESR Staff employees should request funding from the Dean of ESR.

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This page last updated: May 2, 2005