Professional Development Grant Application Materials

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – LA CROSSE

Academic Staff Professional Development Grant Proposal

Cover Page

1. Name (s) & Title(s) of applicant (s):________________________________________

2. Department:_____________________________

3. Title of Proposal:_______________________________________________________

4. Dates_________________ Location _______________________________________

5. Abstract of proposal (50 words or less).

6. Have you received a Professional Development Grant within the last three years?

Yes____ No_____ Date:_________ Amount:_________

Semester/Date Title of Activity

______________________________________________________________________

7. Department/Unit Head’s Approval: Signature________________________________

8. Division Head’s/Dean’s Approval: Signature_______________________________

9. Budget Summary

A. Total cost of the workshop, conference, project, etc. $___________

B. Department/Unit Support or other support $___________

C. UW-L Grant Request: A minus B $___________

Forward the original (7) copies of the signed proposal to: the Academic Staff Council, 217 Graff Main Hall.

Academic Staff Professional Development Budget Page

Fill out completely. Be specific on all travel costs. You must follow the UW System Guidelines for Travel found at http://www.uwlax.edu/travel. Describe each section.

TOTALS

1. Registration $_______________________

2. Travel: Indicate air, (Fox World Travel-see travel guidelines). Attach copy of proposed travel agenda with price estimates. Please include rental vehicle/mileage, or personal vehicle/mileage, airfare, etc. (List expense and cost, air fare and ground transportation/rental car, etc)

Expense $_____________________

3. Lodging (Include hotel tax, if out of state, in cost of room)

______ nights @ $___________ = $______________

Name of hotel______________________ at conference site? ____Yes ____No ___N/A

4. Meals (see website for more information-some cities are designated as “high cost”)

http://www.uwlax.edu/travel/

_________Breakfasts @ $___________ = $_________________

_________ Lunches @ $___________ = $_________________

_________ Dinners @ $___________ = $_________________

Total Meals $______________

5. Miscellaneous (Parking, taxis & tips, etc.) Total estimated misc $______________

Please itemize________________________________________

6. TOTAL COST…………………………………………………….. $______________

Budget Summary

A. B. C.

Total Cost Dept. Support Grant Request

A minus B=C

$___________ $_____________ $_____________

Signature of Supervisor_______________________________________ Date_________________

Your supervisor’s signature is required.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE

Academic Staff Professional Development Grant Guidelines

STEP 1

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 areas of expertise, by refining and developing skills, and by enhancing staff morale. The critical functions 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 course work 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 appointments 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, such as seminars offered by consultants, UW-Extension and other UW-System staff. There may also be expense 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 1983-84 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 this 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 individual academic staff members or groups of academic staff twice each year.

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

III. Objectives 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. Since the university’s mission stresses excellence in teaching, opportunities for instructional academic staff should result in increased teaching effectiveness. Opportunities for non-instructional academic staff should strengthen areas of the university which support effective student development, increase the university’s role as a community resource, and support the emphasis on teaching.

IV. Eligibility

All academic staff (instructional/non-instructional) with at least a .50 FTE academic year assignments.

Academic staff with faculty status is ineligible. Submit a complete proposal; late or incomplete proposals not accepted.

V. Fundable Items

Professional training and development

Travel, housing, meals and other related expenses related to activity

Fees for speakers brought to campus to provide presentations or workshops to academic staff with immediate impact on multiple academic staff. Primary focus of event/activity must be training/professional development of academic staff.

Active participation in a conference, such as presenting a paper, poster and/or participating in a workshop.

Training that is directly applicable and relevant to applicant’s professional position. Training should have direct impact on improved services to students, staff and/or the institution.

Funds do not carry over unless PDG committee gives special approval and notifies the Budget Office

VI. Non fundable items

Proposals where primary purpose is the completion of a terminal degree.

Leave for formal study

Funds will not grant fee/tuition funding

Self directed programs of instruction

Supplies

Taking a course as part of a degree or enrichment program

Purchase of hardware, software, certification/license fees, capital equipment and salary.

Programs that should be paid for by the department

May not fund two people from the same unit for the same project

VII. Funds

Applicants are encouraged to seek additional sources of funding for projects and activities.

Past grant awards have ranged from $300-$2,000 with an average award of $800.

VIII. Selection Criteria

Multiple contacts-The greater the number of individuals this proposal will benefit, the higher the score.

Impact on Institution-Degree proposal outcome will increase UW-L’s effectiveness, its offering, and its reputation.

Level of Participation-The more involved the participant, i.e. presenting, coordination, etc, the higher the score.

Frequency of Funding-Among equally strong proposals, preference given to academic staff who have not previously received a grant.

Written Quality of Proposal-The more clearly, complete and well written, the higher score.

Rank according to criteria.

Procedures for Submitting

Academic Staff 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. A description of how this activity will contribute to your professional development

3. A description of how this will benefit the university and/or the community

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

C. Budget Worksheet

1. A one-page proposed budget listing the following items by line, where applicable.(included with the application materials)

(a) registration fee

(b) travel

(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. Include a copy of brochure if the proposal is for attending a conference.

D. A current resume/vita or vita summary.

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

F. An electronic version, a hard copy original plus six (6) 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 at the System level). Dollars to be awarded are contingent upon funding.

C. All applicants will be notified by e-mail of the committee’s decision.

D. You will be asked to present your 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 e-mail and newsletter announcements.

Note: Proposals for the period between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010 are due in 217C Graff Main Hall by 5:30pm on
Tuesday, December 1, 2009.