POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |Human Resources | 5.40 Employee Dev | 5.40.1 Professional Dev



Professional Development Assistance

SCC’s Professional Development Assistance Program recognizes the need for continued
professional growth and development of all SCC employees while also recognizing the
varied roles of personnel within the college. The two current sources of funding for the
Professional Development Assistance Program are the SCC Foundation and Tier A (when available). There are many acceptable ways of achieving professional growth, knowledge, and skills.  Participation in this program is subject to approval and continued funding.


Application Process
The call for eligible employees to apply for professional development during the upcoming academic year will be made bi-annually: an application period from April 1 through 10, with notification of funding by April 30 and an application period from October 1 through 10, with notification of funding by October 30.  Applications must be submitted on the professional development template located under Policies and Procedures on the Infonet and must be received during the application period of either April 1-10 or October 1-10. They will be evaluated solely on the basis of the information contained in the application. To document actual enrollment in a course or training for which professional development assistance is requested, it is the responsibility of the employee to provide his or her vice president a receipt indicating that tuition was paid.


Each employee applying for professional development must:

  1. Check his/her eligibility to apply with the appropriate Vice President;
  2. Discuss his/her proposal, including proposed timing, alignment with the college strategic plan, goals, and strategies with their supervisor;
  3. Complete the application which is located under Policies and Procedures on the Infonet; and,
  4. Submit the completed application and appropriate documentation, including a copy of degree program, course descriptions, any additional information, and signatures of appropriate supervisors, to the Vice President of Operations and Finance by the specified deadline.

Applications will be reviewed and approved/disapproved by the Professional Development Committee.


Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, employees must:

  1. not be on a provisional/probationary contract;
  2. be full-time or salaried part-time staff;
  3. have successfully completed previously funded professional development activities (if applicable); and,
  4. if enrolling in a college credit course, it must be offered by a regionally accredited institution

Priorities for Funding
Southeastern provides a wide range of opportunities for employees to undertake personal and professional development. The college aims to support the following development activities (in priority order):


activities that lead to the acquisition and development of skills, competencies, and knowledge that are relevant to the changing demands of the higher education environment, the individual’s current and future roles within the college, and statutory requirements; and


activities that enhance the individual’s capacity to contribute effectively to the college’s strategic and operational plans and objectives.    SCC has limited resources for professional development activities; therefore, all applications may not be funded.  Early application is encouraged.


Grade Requirement
Reimbursement of registration fees/tuition will be awarded only when documentation of successful completion has been submitted by the employee to his/her Vice President. Successful completion, in the case of college credit courses is defined as earning a grade of “C” or better. In the case of workshops or seminars, a certificate of completion or other documentation from the provider is acceptable. This documentation must be submitted within three weeks of completion of the course/workshop/seminar.


Leave
If an employee is directed by his/her vice president to take courses or training, the supervisor, in conjunction with the Vice President, will develop a manpower coverage plan to accommodate the employee’s absence from work. Prior to beginning any training, release time, annual leave and/or flex time must be negotiated between the employee and the supervisor. The appropriate vice president will approve or reject such leave.


Tuition/Registration Fee Reimbursement
Upon successful completion, the college will reimburse up to $500 of the tuition/registration fee per semester for approved course(s) or activities. This amount may be increased only by the college president.  In exchange for professional development funds, an employee must work six months for every course for which he/she receives tuition assistance not to exceed three years.


An employee who does not meet this requirement must refund the college the total amount of financial assistance received. The college reserves the right to deduct this amount from the employee’s final paycheck.