Policy and Priorities

Travel Reimbursement Policy and Priorities

The Faculty Development Fund Committee (FDFC) was established to develop funding policies and to disperse Faculty Development Funds to all faculty regardless of rank, tenure, or appointment status. The committee follows the reimbursement guidelines described below. In addition to these funding priorities, faculty will be limited to an annual (July 1 thru June 30) allocation set at the beginning of each fiscal year. For the 2014-15 academic year this limit is $1,600.

1. The highest priority will be to reimburse faculty travel to international, national, state or regional meetings, conferences, or shows where the faculty will present original scholarly work. This would include, but not be limited to, the presentation of papers, presenting posters, invited addresses, shows, or performances of original scholarship. FDFC will reimburse 100% of the costs of travel, lodging, registration fees, and per diem up to the maximum allocation.

2. The second level of priority will be to reimburse faculty who make contributions to professional organizations, but do not meet the criteria outlined above. This would include, but not be limited to, presenting at workshops, contributing to panel discussions, and making presentations on teaching innovations and applications. These applicants will be funded at 80% of actual costs (and no more than 80% of the maximum allocation). Because of the limited amount of funding available, these requests will be held until late in the academic year to ensure funding for higher priority activities.

3. The Faculty Development Fund Committee will also consider applications for funding activities not described above. These include, but are not limited to, travel related to holding offices in professional organizations, travel related to receiving an award, publication costs, research materials and equipment expenses, travel by invitation to present original work, and other expenses related to professional activity. These applicants will be funded at 80% of actual costs (and no more than 80% of the maximum allocation). Because of the limited amount of funding available, these requests will be held until late in the academic year to ensure funding for higher priority activities.

4. The Faculty Development Fund Committee also recognizes the importance of attending professional meetings, conferences, and shows when presentations are not made. This category would also include travel related to certification and training as well as travel to conduct research at archives, libraries, and museums, etc. These applicants will be funded at 70% of actual costs (and no more than 70% of the maximum allocation). Because of the limited amount of funding available, these requests will be held until late in the academic year to ensure funding for higher priority activities.

Activity not typically funded by FDFC

1.  Travel with students to shows, museums, or other field trips

2.  Travel related to meeting continuing education requirements or certification

3.  Travel related to student recruitment or institutional promotion

4.  Travel to solicit or interview job candidates

Notes:

Because of the high demand for professional development funds, we recommend that you plan professional travel early and submit your request several months prior to your travel.  Requests may be submitted prior to having a paper accepted. Funds will be held until your paper has been accepted. The order of funding proposals will be set by the date of receipt of the application. Requests for the academic year may be submitted beginning September 15, 2014. Should your event date occur between July 1 and September 15, you may submit those prior to the beginning of the academic year.