Professional Development Activities

Policy Statement

This policy governs the pursuit of and participation in professional development activities by employees of the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) in the following situations:

• Professional development for current work responsibilities
• Professional development for personal enrichment
• Professional development using the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Professional development using the PDL discount

Professional Development for Current Work Responsibilities

1. Unit Directors and supervisors will develop a plan that allows the opportunity for every employee in their unit to participate in appropriate professional development activities on a regular basis.
2. Within the unit plan, CCAPS employees and their supervisors will identify professional development activities that are job related and/or of benefit to the college and how any associated expenses will be covered.
3. When an employee is required by a supervisor to enroll in any type of development program as a condition of continuing employment, the development activity or program can be considered paid work and can be taken during work time, with no requirement to make up that time and at no expense to the employee.
4. Employees who wish to attend courses or programs during scheduled work hours that are not required as a condition of employment must have supervisory approval.

Professional Development for Personal Enrichment

Classes, workshops, etc, for personal development, but not required to update current job skills, should be completed outside of work hours whenever possible. If the activity is available only during regular work hours, the employee and supervisor must agree on a plan to ensure the employee’s work is completed. The employee can take vacation, comp time, time without pay, or flex their schedule to cover the time away for these activities.

Professional Development Using the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

For credit courses, employees may use the Regents Tuition Benefit Program. No additional CCAPS scholarships are available to employees who are using this program.

Professional Development Using the PDL Discount

1. PDL Professional Development courses may be taken by CCAPS employees at no cost on a space-available basis. Depending on enrollments, CCAPS employees may be asked to wait for another offering of a given course. See Forms/Instructions for additional information on the registration process required to attend PDL courses using the CCAPS PDL discount.
2. Decisions to offer a course based on enrollment will be determined by the number of full-paying customers registered prior to admitting CCAPS employees at no cost.
3. Space must be available so that all outside "paying" customers are accommodated before admitting CCAPS employees who wish to enroll at no cost.
4. Conferences and OLLI programs offered through PDL are not eligible for no-cost participation.

Reason for Policy

This policy provides the framework for coordinating and participating in professional development activities for employees of CCAPS in various scenarios. Supervisors and unit directors have the authority to accept or reject any professional development activities requested by those they supervise/are in their unit.

Responsibilities

Supervisor

• Work with the unit lead to develop a plan that allows every employee the opportunity to participate in professional development activities.
• Work with employees to identify appropriate professional development opportunities, and to develop a plan for managing the employee’s work while they participate in professional development activities.

Unit Lead

Work with the supervisor to develop a plan that allows every employee the opportunity to participate in professional development activities.

Employee

• Register for PDL professional development activities according to "Using the CCAPS PDL Discount."
• Work with their supervisor to develop a plan for managing their work while they participate in professional development activities.

Contacts

PDL Registration Team: [email protected]

CCAPS Human Resources: 612-625-4472, [email protected]

History

Effective July 2019

Revised July 2023

Revised July 2024