UNT Staff Professional Development Funding Proposal

Goal

Provide full-time, benefits eligible UNT staff members with professional development funding to help support their current roles at the University of North Texas and assist with propelling them forward at UNT.

Objective

• Utilize $20,000 each year to allow multiple UNT staff members to participate in professional development opportunities
• Develop a consistent application and approval process for staff to apply and be funded for professional development opportunities
• Create buy in from departments and divisions in supporting their staff members’ professional development opportunities

Statement of Need

While many UNT departments provide professional development opportunities and funding to their staff, not every department is able to do so. Those departments that do have the ability to provide professional development funding to their full-time staff may also have limited ability to do so. With an increased focus on the want to retain good staff members and help staff continue to be able to move up in roles at the University of North Texas, it is pivotal to be able to provide funding to staff members who may otherwise not have the ability to participate in these opportunities.

Collaborative Partners Needed

Timeline

Submission Process

1. Staff Members must submit the Staff Senate Professional Development Funding Request Form to the Staff Senate email (Staffsenate@unt.edu) (Appendix A)
2. Staff Senate will verify compliance with Senate Bill 17 first using the SB17 Preliminary Tool, SB17 Decision Tool and the training course, Texas Education Code §51.3525, then if Staff Senate needs assistance in any way (i.e. a submission is questionable, or potentially problematic, etc.) you and the team can send (escalate) an SB17 review request via email to University Integrity & Compliance (UIC) - compliance@unt.edu.
3. Once proposal is submitted, Staff Senate will send Staff Senate Professional Development Funding Request Form to Supervisor and/or Department Head (if supervisor is the department head, form will only be sent to one person. If supervisor is different than the department head, the form will be sent to both)

• • If Staff Senate Professional Development Funding Request Form is denied by the supervisor, an email will be sent to employee and supervisor/department head with the application status as denied

   4. Once the approved verification form has been received from supervisor and/or department head, the proposal will go to Staff Senate Executive             Committee to fill out the rubric

   5. Once the rubric is completed, the proposal will be voted on by Staff Senate General Body, utilizing the completed rubric and proposal.

• • Identifying information (staff member name, ID number, position title and supervisor name) will be redacted. Department and Division will be left to ensure that the professional development opportunity can be justified within that department/division.
  • Rubric will be utilized to score funding requests prior to sharing with Senate General Body.
  • Based on the score, the highest scores will then be voted on for approval, based on budgetary request

    6. If Professional Development Funding Request has been approved, Staff Senate Executive Committee will send a message of approval and further instructions to the staff member and supervisor/department head

    7. If the Professional Development Funding Request has been denied, Staff Senate Executive Committee will send a message of denial and any feedback to the staff member and supervisor/department head

     8. Upon completion of the professional development activity, the staff member is required to submit the Professional Development Impact Summary and Survey (including final budget) within two weeks of the program’s completion.

• • Summaries will be complied and submitted in the yearly report to the President’s Office, summarizing the staff member’s professional impact and budget implications, as well as the impact the professional development opportunity has to the University of North Texas.

Funding Guidelines

• Only full-time, benefits-eligible staff are eligible to apply for the professional development funding.
• Staff must be beyond 6 months of employment at the University of North Texas.
• Staff must not occupy a role above Executive Director
• Supervisor and/or Department Head must approve and justify funding
• Professional Development Opportunity must be in compliance with SB 17

• • • Staff Senate will verify compliance with Senate Bill 17 first using the SB17 Preliminary Tool, SB17 Decision Tool and the training course, Texas Education Code §51.3525, then if Staff Senate needs assistance in any way (i.e. a submission is questionable, or potentially problematic, etc.) you and the team can send (escalate) an SB17 review request via email to University Integrity & Compliance (UIC)

• Limited to a maximum of $400 per staff member per year.
• Preference will be given to staff who will be presenting at the professional development opportunity
• Staff may not use professional development materials designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation to further conduct trainings, programs or activities on UNT’s campus
• All records will be retained according to UNT Policy 04.008, Records Management and Retention.
• Professional Development funds requested must be justified to help support staff member’s current role at the University of North Texas, and assist with propelling them forward at UNT, as well as provide benefit to the University of North Texas.

Program Assessment

• Semesterly budgets will be submitted to the President’s Office to review usage of the funds
• Staff members who are granted funding for professional development will be required to submit a Professional Development Impact Summary and Survey to best evaluate the impact on this funding on their professional development, as well as the University.