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Professional Development Grants

DATE: March 3, 2008

TO: Academic Staff Members

FROM: Academic Staff Professional Development Committee

RE: Professional Development Program

It is time to consider your plans for professional development needs for the coming year. The UW System Academic Staff Professional Development Program provides grant funding for instructional and non-instructional academic staff who are at least .50 FTE, academic staff. You many want to improve your own professional expertise or sponsor a campus program which provides information to members of a unit, division or the campus in general. Proposals submitted this fall are eligible for funding of activities occurring between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.

Proposals are reviewed and ranked locally by the Academic Staff Professional Development Committee and sent to the Chancellor for final review and funding.

The objectives of the grant program are to enhance individual professional effectiveness, improve program quality, and contribute to improved institutional effectiveness. Most successful proposals are for attendance at a conference, workshop or seminar, bringing a speaker or workshop leader to campus or for site visitations. Proposals are not limited to these activities, however. Also, it should be noted that priority would be given to proposals that address diversity issues, which reflect a commitment to the campus Design for Diversity Plan.

Grants are funded by the UW – System and the campus. System funds one-half of each grant and UW-L funds one-half. There is a centralized campus fund for grants. Dollars to be awarded are contingent upon funding. Although your unit/department or division/college will not be responsible for funding your proposal, approval at these levels are required.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal:

1. The application packet may be obtained online at www.uwlax.edu/academicstaff/pdg2008.htm.

2. Proposals are due in the Academic Staff Council office by 4:30pm on March 28, 2008. Do not return proposals to the Human Resources office.

We hope you will consider participation in this worthwhile program. Feel free to contact any of the committee members for more information.

Marcia Johnson-Sage
Brad Quarberg
Tim Walls
Troy Richter
Gayleen Eilers

Amanda Goodenough

PROPOSAL COVER PAGE

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM

ACADEMIC STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – LA CROSSE

1. PROGRAM CATEGORY: (Please check) _____ Primary _____ Secondary

(see Section IV, B, in Academic Staff Professional Development Plan)

2. NAMES(S), TITLE(S) AND PHONE NUMBERS OF PROPOSER(S):

___________________________________________________________________________

3. DEPARTMENT/UNIT __________________________________________________________

4. TITLE OF ACTIVITY ___________________________________________________________

5. DATES OF ACTIVITY __________________________________________________________

6. PARAGRAPH ABSTRACT OF PROPOSAL (50 words or less):

___________________________________________________________________________

7. INDICATE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS BELOW:

(If this is a dual proposal, indicate dates each proposer was previously funded.)

SEMESTER/DATE TITLE OF ACTIVITY

__________________________________________________________________________

*8. DEPARTMENT/UNIT HEAD’S APPROVAL: SIGNATURE ______________________________

*9. DIVISION HEAD’S/DEAN’S APPROVAL: SIGNATURE ________________________________

*IF PROPOSAL NOT APPROVED, GIVE REASON(S) BELOW: __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

10. FORWARD THE ORIGINAL PLUS SEVEN (7) COPIES OF THE SIGNED PROPOSAL TO: THE ACADEMIC STAFF COUNCIL OFFICE, 217 GRAFF MAIN HALL.

PROPOSERS DO NOT COMPLETE SECTION BELOW

1. RANK OF PROPOSAL _____ OF _____.

2. BUDGET SUMMARY: Total Budget

S&E $ _______ Salary $ _______ Total $ ______

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – LA CROSSE

ACADEMIC STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

I. Background

Professional development opportunities are an important component of an effective personnel management system. Such opportunities enable staff to increase their effectiveness by expanding knowledge in their area of expertise, by refining and developing skills, and by enhancing staff morale. The critical function performed by academic staff require that professional development opportunities be facilitated for institutional as well as individual reasons.

System-wide professional development programming consists of the policy of fee-tuition reimbursement for employer-authorized coursework or training that “provides skill or knowledge deemed appropriate for the continued or improved effectiveness of the employee’s performance in his/her current position or role.” General Administrative Policy Paper (GAPP) 25-Rev(4) provides guidelines for institutional use of this program. Faculty, academic staff and limited staff members with half-time or greater appointment are eligible for reimbursement. Normally, employees may take up to five credits in any academic term, but the Chancellor or his/her designee may extend the limit.

Other programs exist at the institutional level. These may include seminars offered by consultants, UW-Extension and other UW-System staff, and reimbursement for expenses in connection with attending meetings and conferences related to academic staff members’ institutional and/or professional responsibilities.

II. Professional Development Grants

During the 1983-1984 academic year, System Administration conducted a review of academic staff employment conditions for the Board of Regents. In one portion of the review, dealing with professional development and advancement, it was noted that there are few formal development opportunities for academic staff.* As a result of the review, the Board approved several recommendations, including establishing a professional development grant program for academic staff which began with the first proposals funded on July 1, 1985.

The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse will consider for funding, proposals of individuals academic staff members or groups of academic staff each year.

*Academic Staff Review, Phase III: “Major Issues and Concerns of Academic Staff,” pp. 26-28. Presented to the UWS Board of Regents December, 1983.

III. Objective of the Academic Staff Professional Development Program

a. Individual Professional Development. The Program should provide an opportunity

for academic staff to enhance their effectiveness in meeting changing needs and roles in higher education.

b. Improved Program Quality. Staff development opportunities should contribute to

improving program vitality during a period of anticipated resource constraints and rapidly changing administrative and educational needs.

c. Improved Institutional Effectiveness. Professional development opportunities

should be related directly to the mission of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and, thereby, enhance the quality of the institution.

IV. Elements of the Academic Staff Professional Development Program

a. Professional Development Needs. It is critical for academic staff to maintain and

expand their professional competencies in order to provide effective services to students in higher education and practicing professionals needing updating. That is especially true during this era of rapid change. Areas of particular concern are multi-cultural diversity, globalization of the curriculum and institution, critical thinking and writing skills, telecommunications technology, and the changing needs for students due to social and age factors.

b. Categories of Activities

i. Primary Category. Two types of professional development proposals will receive priority under this category. They are: (1) professional development proposals to improve individual academic staff members’ effectiveness in their current roles; and (2) proposals which provide leadership for in-service training, program development and program evaluation for staff in a unit or campus-wide program.

ii. Secondary Category. Proposals for enhancing abilities to compete for positions with greater responsibilities will have second priority.

iii. The academic staff professional development program will not provide leave for formal study leading to a degree.

c. Types of Activities. Potential professional development activities include credit or

non-credit seminars, workshops, clinics, short courses and symposia, applied research related to institutional mission and unit goals, and travel funds for formal presentations or site visits to other institutions. Conferences and annual meetings must have a strong educational component to receive consideration for funding.

d. Proposal Review Procedures. Proposals will be reviewed, ranked, and

recommended by the Professional Development Committee of the Academic Staff Council. The committee may interview applicants as part of the review process. Recommended proposals will be forwarded to the Chancellor. Final funding decisions will be made at the University level.

e. Sources and Administration of Institutional Matching Funds. Funded activities will be

administered through the Office of the Chancellor in accordance with the UW-System and UW-La Crosse policies governing the use of GPR funds for travel and related activities. The funds will be maintained in a centralized account. It should be understood that this program is intended to supplement, not to supplant, institutional staff development programming. The University will continue to be responsible for providing existing institutional resources to support development efforts such as attending professional meetings. The fee/tuition reimbursement program will continue to operate as an institutional effort, except in specific cases where a proposal is funded through the System Professional Development Plan.

Procedure for Submitting

Academic Staff Professional Development Proposals

I. The following must be completed:

A. Proposal Cover Page

B. Body of the Proposal, including:

1. A complete description of the activity and its objectives including your role in the activity.

2. How will this activity contribute to your professional development?

3. How will this benefit the university and/or the community?

4. Description of activity schedule/timeline you will be following.

C. Budget

1. A one page proposed budget listing the following items by line, where applicable.

(a) travel

(b) registration fee

(d) other expenses

Proposers must consult travel reimbursement guideline in estimating food/lodging and travel costs. Copies available online at http://www.uwlax.edu/travel

D. A current resume/vita or vita summary.

E. A letter from the department chair/unit director indicating support for the proposal.

F. An original plus seven (7) copies of the signed proposals are due to the Academic Staff Council office by the specified campus deadline.

II. Process:

A. The Professional Development Committee of the Academic Staff Council will review and rank proposals, and may interview candidates.

B. The Committee will forward recommended proposals to the Chancellor for funding approval. As a result of the decentralization of the grants program, all funding decisions will be made at the University level (instead of the System level). Dollars to be awarded are contingent upon funding.

C. All applicants will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision.

D. An evaluation questionnaire will be sent to each recipient awarded funding. The evaluation should be completed and returned to the chairperson of the Professional Development Committee by the date indicated on the form.

E. You may be asked to present experience at the Academic Staff annual fall meeting.

III. Timeline:

A. There are two calls for proposals each year.

1. Activities occurring between January 1 and June 30.

2. Activities occurring between July 1 and December 31.

B. Academic staff will be notified of submission deadlines by email and newsletter announcements.

Note: Proposals for the period between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 are

due in 217 Graff Main Hall by 4:30 PM, Friday, March 28, 2008.