Classified Professional Development

Guidelines / Application Instructions

 

Purpose and Committee Composition

The Classified Professional Development Fund exists for the purpose of helping LBCC contracted classified employees attend workshops, training, conferences, and classes which enhance their ability to perform their job or promote career growth.  A committee, composed of five classified staff representatives and one advisor from the Human Resources Office, is responsible for considering applications for funding.  A list of current committee members is available from the Staff Development Office, IA-232A, Human Resources, or the Classified Association President.  Questions concerning the application or funding decisions may be addressed to any of the committee members.

 

Criteria for Funding Decisions

The criteria the committee uses to base its funding decisions are: responsible use of College money and balance of distribution.  The Committee strives to be consistent, while remaining flexible enough to consider all options.

 

In order to allow as many classified staff as possible to access the fund, professional development activities should be financed with contributions from the employee’s department, and/or the employee, in addition to the Classified Professional Development Fund.  The Committee expects that the combined department and employee contribution will represent a minimum of 10 percent of the total cost of the activity. As the request figure increases, the applicant and/or the department are expected to contribute at a higher percentage. An explanation should accompany requests if no department funds are available.

 

Applying For Funds

Application  forms are available on the LBCC intranet and from the Staff Development Office, IA-232A.  Applications MUST be submitted to the Staff Development Office, IA-232A, prior to the start of the activity.  Deadline for applications to be considered by the committee at its next monthly meeting is the first working day of the month at 5 p.m.  The committee will normally meet within the first 10 working days of the month, and applicants will be notified by phone or e-mail by a committee member of their decision shortly thereafter.  Written notification from the Staff Development office will follow.  If the activity occurs prior to the committee meeting and the committee denies the request, the employee/department will be responsible for all expenses.

 

Activities Which Will Be Considered For Funding:

1.       Job enhancement training and conferences.

2.       Training to keep up with job changes.

3.       Educational course work toward degree or certificate.

4.       Testing or certification fees.

 

Activities Which Will Not Be Considered For Funding

1.       Professional membership dues.

2.       Books, tapes, and other materials.

3.       Recreational or leisure activities.

 

 

Other Issues Considered In Funding Decisions:

1.       Funds remaining - half of the annual funding will be designated to be awarded July through December, and the other half will be designated to be awarded January through June.  Unexpended funds will be carried forward to the next six-month period.

 

2.       First-time applicants will be given preference over previous grant recipients when funds are low.

3.       The committee may choose to limit the number of people or dollar amount granted for a single activity.

 

 

 

Application Requirements & Limitations:

           

1.       The current application form must be used. Requests made on outdated forms will be returned.

2.       Individuals may not receive more than $2,000 over a two-year period.  The two-year period shall be defined as July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.

3.       Personal and/or department contributions are required to compose a minimum of 10% of the total cost of the activity. See Criteria For Funding Decisions above. If you are requesting reimbursement for college tuition, your department will not normally be expected to help pay for that.

4.       Every section of the application must be completed and required information attached.  Consideration of incomplete applications may be delayed.

5.       The committee will consider amendments to applications if received prior to the activity.

6.       Meals are reimbursable at a per diem rate by travel location. For a complete listing of per diem rates by city, refer to IRS Publication 1542 at http://www.gsa.gov. After accessing the site, select Per Diem Rates under Travel Resources to view the rates for your primary destination to determine which meal rates apply. 

7.       Tuition for approved course work will be reimbursed at actual cost to the classified member, to a maximum of $200 per credit.  Tuition reimbursement will take place after completion of the course and a copy of the passing grade is submitted to the Staff Development Office.

8.       If requesting mileage reimbursement, turn in a completed Driver Status Report form to Sharon King, CC-133, prior to requesting reimbursement.  The Driver Status Report Form must be filed annually.

9.       Neither cash advances nor personal reimbursement will be made prior to the completion of the activity.  Advance payments can be made by LBCC to a vendor for expenses such as registration, travel tickets, and lodging.  Receipts must be provided for all reimbursable costs except food.  Receipts must be submitted within six weeks following the activity, but not later than June 30, in order to receive reimbursement.

 

Revised 07/19/07