Introduction
The purpose of this policy is to establish a program that provides professional development and training for all college exempt and classified staff. The program supports courses, workshops, training programs, conferences, lectures, and other learning opportunities that are beneficial to the college and the employee. This program may not be used to fund sabbaticals or leaves.
Eligibility
All permanent exempt and classified employees are eligible to apply for professional development or training funds allocated to this program.
Professional development and training committee
The staff professional development committee is a standing committee composed of nine staff members and meets on a monthly basis. The composition of the committee supports the institution's commitment to affirmative action.
Composition of the committee:
Each vice-president appoints one exempt and one classified employee.
The president appoints one employee who may be either classified or exempt.
Two of these appointed members must be union members.
Committee members serve for two years. (The first round of appointments includes one three year appointment by each vice-president, providing a rotating membership.)
Vacancies during mid term must be filled within thirty days by the respective division head. The term of appointment is for the fiscal year.
The director of employee relations serves ex officio, coordinates the meetings, and may call additional meetings.
Application process
Applications must be submitted in the format prescribed by the committee. Applicants shall describe the proposed activity and its cost, and shall identify the benefits accruing to the college, the unit and the applicant. All applications must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the individual's supervisor, director, or dean.
Minimum criteria for selection of proposals
The staff professional development committee shall evaluate applications based on the following minimum criteria:
The proposed development activities must positively affect Evergreen through increased staff skills, broadening of staff resources, acceleration of affirmative action, or promotion of a multi-cultural college community, and
The proposed development activities must enhance the staff member's professional competence.
Competition
In addition to satisfying the minimum criteria, applicants are awarded professional development based on the following:
Critical nature of the training for the institution and the employee;
Cost effective approach to solving the training need, including the applicability of the proposal to the employee's current position;
Long term benefit to the college and employee. Professional development and training opportunities that enhance an employee's promotional opportunities are encouraged;
Quality of the program and potential for achieving the desired result;
The extent to which supplemental funding is provided through private groups or unit support;
The extent to which the proposed activity will enhance cultural diversity at Evergreen;
Merit and potential of applicant. Judged according to the applicant's past and potential service to Evergreen. Merit is not to be reduced to a formula of seniority;
Length of employment with the college;
The extent to which the applicant is willing to share funding and attend training in off-work hours.
Length of time in service since the employee last received a development or training opportunity.
Funding
There is a staff professional development and training account. Account responsibility resides with the director of employee relations. The staff professional development and training account is a reserve account. Allocations for training are transferred from this account to the benefiting account based upon the committee's recommendation. Expenditures for training will be charged to the account receiving the allocation. Supplemental funding from other sources increases the allocation for professional development and training to as many staff as possible. Unexpended allocations will lapse to the professional development and training account by May 15 in the second year of the biennium, and will be reallocated prior to biennium closing.
Eligible expenses
The staff development and training program moneys may support tuition, registration, enrollment, or course fees (or other similar charges), travel, and per diem, when necessary and appropriate. Salary during professional development and training activities will be funded from other sources.
Leaves
A unit head may send a staff member for developmental activity at the unit's expense, without the recommendation of the staff professional development committee. Exempt employees may be eligible for sabbaticals. Such leaves are governed by RCW 28B.10.650. Such leaves will not be funded by the staff development and training account.