Professional Development for Academic Administrators Procedure
Sponsor: |
Office of Academic Affairs |
|---|---|
Contact: |
Vice Provost for Academic Development |
Category: |
Academic |
Number: |
100.016 |
Effective Date: |
03/01/1996 |
Implementation History: |
March 1996 Revised February 1996, May 1989, May 1983 |
Keywords: |
Professional Development |
Background Information: |
Purpose
Academic administrators not only have responsibility for the academic programs and procedures in the institution but have as well a closeness to academic operations and a desire to remain current in their academic discipline or their area of administrative responsibility. Academic administrators work with faculty members and scholarship is expected of them as it is of mentors. Professional development periods, comparable to reading periods among the faculty, are thus applicable to academic administrators, and shall be available to those who hold concurrent academic rank.
Definitions
Statements
Professional Development Period
Academic administrators not only have responsibility for the academic programs and procedures in the institution but have as well a closeness to academic operations and a desire to remain current in their academic discipline or their area of administrative responsibility. Academic administrators work with faculty members and scholarship is expected of them as it is of mentors. Professional development periods, comparable to reading periods among the faculty, are thus applicable to academic administrators, and shall be available to those who hold concurrent academic rank.
In order that academic administrators have regular opportunities for professional development and scholarly pursuits, regional and Coordinating Center academic administrators shall routinely have a period of up to two weeks for professional activities undertaken away from their regular job site. These two weeks are comparable to the reading period now afforded faculty members and shall likely, but not necessarily, occur during that reading period.
In order for such professional development opportunities to be taken, Center and Program Directors and Coordinating Center administrators shall be responsible for insuring adequate coverage of needed responsibilities. The academic administrators will schedule these in a way appropriate to such coverage. Center personnel wishing to participate will submit brief plans to the directors who would approve and coordinate the timing at regional centers. Deans and academic administrators at the Coordinating Center will submit their plans to and arrange their professional development period with the Academic Vice President. Employees holding concurrent academic rank are eligible for such leaves. In instances where the administrator is undertaking a specific academic project the additional professional development period described below may be requested.
Approved: 1983
Revised: March, 1989
Extended Professional Development Period
Professional development is an essential component of individual and institutional vitality. Continuous full-time activity as an academic administrator is intellectually demanding, and effective performance requires that opportunities for professional growth and development is provided. Academic administrators, like the faculty, must have the opportunity to shift the nature of their professional contribution to the College, engaging in professional reading and scholarly writing to help them sustain their professional competence and performance at high levels. Therefore, upon formal application and approval, an academic administrator may extend the two-week professional development period.
Academic administrators may apply for a maximum of four weeks to engage in scholarly activity best conducted outside the press of office responsibilities. This time period may be in one four-week block or in smaller increments, and is subject to maintenance of appropriate office responsibilities with the approval of the supervisor and the President. Such reassignment is not generally for the purpose of travel unless such travel is critical to the scholarly and professional requirements.
A letter requesting a professional development period should be forwarded to the administrator's supervisor at least eight weeks prior to the desired block of time. The letter should include a brief description of the planned activity and indicate the manner in which administrative responsibilities will be met in the administrator's absence.
Approved: May, 1983
Professional Reassignment for Academic Administrators
This statement specifies the College's professional reassignment policy with respect to senior academic administrators.
For the purpose of improving scholarly and administrative performance, senior academic administrators shall be eligible for a four month reassignment after each four years of service of which one month shall be charged to vacation accruals.
Reassignments will be scheduled so that adequate coverage of duties is ensured and so that a sufficient number of senior administrators remain available in the College. Coverage for Center Directors will be arranged between those directors and the Coordinating Center with consideration being given to assigning partial responsibility to other directors during these periods. Those eligible for reassignment include members of the President's Council who hold concurrent academic rank.
Procedures for request of professional reassignment by professional staff other than senior academic administrators appear in the Professional Staff Handbook