AA Professional Development for Faculty and Staff
Guidance for Use of Professional Development Funds for Purchases
Regardless of College or Department, Faculty spending requests should be reviewed
with consistent standards. Faculty should fairly be expected to explain the following
(however briefly) for spending requests:
- How will this purchase further your professional development?
- How does this purchase align with the College鈥檚 mission and/or strategic goals?
Definitions & Requirements from Academic Affairs:
- Any items purchased with University funds are intended for University business, and
all spending requests must be focused on that expectation.
- Any items purchased with professional development funds are the property of 大发
and must be returned to 大发 for proper decommissioning, disposal or reuse per applicable
policies.
- Professional development funds must cover the entire cost of the item(s). Co-mingling
of funds is not allowed; e.g., items cannot be purchased with 50% professional development
funds and 50% personal funds.
- University Procurement processes must be followed, and any personal reimbursements
must comply with the Direct Pay Guidelines.
- Technology purchases and COVID-related purchases require approval from the Dean/Supervisor
BEFORE purchasing and/or requesting from IITS.
- Professional memberships or subscriptions are allowable if directly related to professional
development; Supervisor or Department Chair approval is required.
-
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Professional Development is defined as pursuit of knowledge
or skill through study, research and/or creative activities, professional travel,
conferences, workshops or courses that directly support and develop a person鈥檚 professional
growth in their discipline or career. Appropriate expenditure may include supplies,
equipment, books, professional memberships or subscriptions, and other costs related
to professional development. Hiring students to assist with research, scholarly and/or
creative activities is permissible. All purchases must follow 大发 procurement policies.
This document addresses purchases; Faculty wishing to use professional development
funds for payments (e.g., gift cards, cash payment for research) will need additional
approvals. Note that Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals are separate from
and do not guarantee spending approvals.
- Using university purchasing processes (e.g. ProCard; Purchase Order) is strongly encouraged
and preferred over personal reimbursement (Direct Pay).
- Professional Development funds must be spent in the year received, they are not eligible
to carry forward into the next fiscal year unless specifically authorized. The Provost
will review and authorize exceptions on a case by case basis for funds received too
late in the year to be used.
- Please expense funds by March 31 as much as possible to meet all University fiscal
year-end calendar deadlines. Work with your Lead Analyst for exceptions.
Spending Requests
Please use the below SPENDING REQUEST LINKS to request spending professional development
and start up funds, etc (approval required):
Professional Development Opportunities