3.1.5.10 Memberships, Conventions, and Faculty Development
(Charter)
The University encourages professional development for its faculty. The University assists in covering the cost of the annual dues for all faculty members in one professional society of their choice. Institutional membership in organizations required for professional recognition of departments is financed from departmental budgets.
Convention attendance is a high priority professional growth experience and is subsidized by the University. All faculty are eligible to receive convention subsidy for convention attendance related to their teaching discipline.
(Bylaws)
The funding support for memberships, conventions, and professional development is administered by the Chief Academic Officer in consultation with the Rank and Tenure Committee. The exercise of convention privileges is subject to the following provisions:
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Faculty members may apply to attend a convention annually in the area of their academic discipline. Information on current funding limits is available from the Chief Academic Officer.
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When a convention request is signed by the department chair and approved by the Chief Academic Officer, the University reimburses costs of convention fees, per diem, travel, and lodging up to the allocated convention reimbursement limit. Applications should be submitted to the Chief Academic Officer six weeks prior to departure.
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A small honorarium is available for faculty who are presenting papers or taking a major role in planning an academic conference. Notification of the Chief Academic Officer of such activities must be made as part of the convention request.
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These privileges are not applicable to faculty members after they accept appointments to other institutions.
In addition to the above policy governing attendance at professional associations, certain faculty members of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities meet once every few years at a time and place designated by the General Conference Department of Education. Assistance for such events is made available as there is funding to support such attendance.