LARAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROCEDURE

 

 

 

SUBJECT - PLUS System (Professional Development Leave for Upgrading Salaries)

REFERENCE

DATE

NUMBER - 6555

 

 

I. Purpose

 

The PLUS System is designed to be used as an additional avenue for faculty development at LCCC. It allows one to work in industry to achieve professional growth, and therefore, movement on the salary schedule. It is an alternative to graduate courses, which are often difficult to find in specific vocational areas. PLUS can also be used by those with Masters +50 hours on the salary scale since the proposal equates another 20 credit hours with the Ph.D. column.

 

II. Rationale

 

Currently a faculty member can earn credit on the salary scale with a "working" sabbatical. Forty hours of work equals one hour of credit. This same formula will be applied in the PLUS System. Any experience in industry may be eligible, given an effective, demonstrated relationship between the experience and one's work at LCCC. All permanent faculty and administrative staff, regardless of length of service, may participate in this system. Faculty can use summers to work, or anyone eligible may ask for a leave of absence under the procedures in effect for sabbatical leave (see Personnel Policy 4120). The project duration may range from several weeks to a full academic year. Also, projects could include a sequence of experiences, for example, three successive summers.

 

III. PLUS Review Committee

 

The PLUS Review Committee is composed of three to five members, including one continuing representative for continuity. One or two members from academic areas, one member from the applicant's present worksite or related discipline, and administrative input (e.g., ad hoc membership by Dean of Instruction or Director of Personnel).

 

IV. Procedures

 

A. Employees eligible for and interested in submitting a project proposal are required to make application according to the following process:

1. Complete a preliminary "PLUS Project Proposal" form (attached) and have it approved by:

a. Worksite supervisor.

b. Division director/appropriate administrator.

c. Peer faculty/staff member.

d. PLUS Review Committee.

2. Submit a final proposal for approval to:

a. Worksite supervisor.

b. Division director/appropriate administrator.

c. Peer faculty/staff member.

d. PLUS Review Committee (if changes have been made since preliminary proposal was submitted).

e. Appropriate dean.

f. President.

3. Project proposal will include:

a. Narrative description of the proposed project.

b. Details concerning the work site:

-- name and location of the firm.

-- name and proposed supervisor.

-- nature of this firm's business.

-- benefits of the proposed work experience to applicant.

-- benefits of the proposed work experience for firm.

-- disadvantages of the proposed work experience for

applicant.

-- disadvantages of the proposed work experience for firm.

-- logistical factors (i.e., costs, travel, need for grant).

c. Details regarding the planned outcomes of the work

experience:

-- the proposed project outcomes.

-- how these outcomes relate to present and/or future

LCCC responsibilities (job performance, new need or programs).

-- how the outcomes relate to division and college goals.

-- how the outcomes will be measured.

B. Periodic Progress Report

1. A periodic progress report is submitted to the PLUS Review Committee at midpoint of the work experience, or

2. At various points if the project is an extended, interrelated group of experiences (e.g., over several summers).

3. A timetable will be established for the periodic progress reports before the staff member commences the work experience.

4. The periodic progress report will include:

a. achievement to date.

b. activities which have led to achievement.

c. the probability of total outcome completion by the end of the work experience.

d. any revisions that need to be considered.

e. a narrative evaluation of the experience to date.

5. Final report

a. A final report must be submitted within 30 days of the employee's return to LCCC.

      b. The final report will include:

-- the project outcomes, with revisions, and the achievement of these outcomes.

-- a summary of the activities undertaken to achieve the outcomes.

-- the value of the experience to the applicant and to LCCC.

-- an evaluation of the total experience.

-- any new course materials which resulted from the project.