2.10     FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

2.10.1  PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE FACULTY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The Faculty Development Committee is a committee of the College faculty charged with the responsibility of supporting and encouraging faculty in the production of scholarly works and in pursuing excellence in teaching.  FDC administers a wide range of programs including the following:

  1.       Sabbatical Leaves (year-long and semester-long);
  2.       Faculty Summer Research Award;
  3.       Faculty Summer Study Award;
  4.       Faculty Research Year (Grant-in-Time);
  5.       Faculty Research Semester (Grant-in-Time);
  6.       Faculty Research Grants/Starter Grants;
  7.       Faculty Scholar Program;
  8.       Clusters and Task Forces;
  9.       Workshops;
10.       Faculty Enrichment Grants;
11.       Faculty Internship Grants;
12.       Curriculum Development Grants;
13.       Curriculum Development Semester (Grant-in-Time);
14.       Course Materials Development Grants

Each of these programs is designed to support the faculty member either in teaching endeavors or in the production of scholarly works, or a combination of the two.  The work(s) produced may be course or teaching related, works of art or productions, or research manuscripts in the faculty member's field of interest.  In each case, the focus of the project should be the presentation of the work to the general public in the form of a textbook, presentation, exhibition, or manuscript.  For additional information concerning guidelines for submitting proposals and appropriate forms contact either the chair of FDC or the Director of Academic Grants.

2.10.1.1           SABBATICAL LEAVE

a.         Stipend:  Stipends for this program provide full pay for one semester or half pay for two semesters.  The amount of the stipend is based on the salary for the academic year in which the sabbatical is taken.  Stipends are paid on a monthly basis.
           
b.         Purpose and Obligations:  Grantees are expected to pursue a full-time study program which would involve research or teaching-related activities; they may accept grants, fellowships or consultant's fees for work associated with this program, but may not accept paid teaching assignments.  The sabbatical leave is to be used for the professional advancement of the grantee and is not to be used as a vacation or as leave with pay to allow a faculty member to take another job during the period.
           
c.         Application:  Because the deadline for many grants, fellowships, and other sources of external support is 12 or 14 months prior to the academic year in which the sabbatical occurs, applications should be submitted on or before February 15 of the calendar year prior to the academic year in which the leave occurs, for example, in the Spring of 2006 for a sabbatical during the 2007-2008 academic year.
                                                                                               
Applications for sabbaticals should be submitted to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and must follow the guidelines for grant proposals.  The department chair and the Dean of the College must approve alternative coverage of academic responsibilities before application can be made.  A statement of the proposed coverage and the estimated cost of the coverage should be included with the grant application.  The Faculty Development Committee will review applications in time to notify applicants on or before March 15.  Late applications are considered only if sabbatical funds remain uncommitted.

d.         Eligibility and Selection:  Sabbatical leave may be granted to those full-time, tenured faculty who have accrued a period of six or more years of full-time service at the College.  (For example, application should be made in February of a candidate's fifth year for a sabbatical occurring in the seventh year.)  The faculty member granted sabbatical leave may not receive another sabbatical leave until he or she has accrued an additional six or more years of full-time service at the College after the year in which the original sabbatical leave was awarded.  (The application for the additional sabbatical may be made in February of the candidate's fifth year of additional service).  After recommendation from the Faculty Development Committee and the Dean of the College, final approval is the responsibility of the President of the College after consultation with the College Life Committee of the Board of Trustees.  Criteria for eligibility are:

1.         Submission of an acceptable program of formal study or research for the period for which the sabbatical is requested;
2.         Competent teaching;
3.         Evidence of professional activity and competence;
4.         A demonstrated professional attitude and dedication to the ideals of the College;
5.         Recommendation of the department chair, the Faculty Development Committee, and the Dean of the College.
                                                           
e.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a sabbatical should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee, the department chair and the Dean.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the sabbatical.  It is also expected that returning faculty will share the results of their research/writing with faculty colleagues.     

2.10.1.2           FACULTY SUMMER RESEARCH AWARD

a.         Stipend:  Stipends for this program are $2000 and are paid in equal installments in May and June.

b.         Purpose and Obligations:  The summer research project must involve research or professional writing over at least a five-week period.  Grantees may accept additional grants awarded by the College or from external sources to cover research expenses, but may not accept paid teaching assignments during the five-week period.  Application for grants-in-time in the summer to pursue teaching-related activities should be directed to the Faculty Development Committee.
                       
c.         Application:  Applications should be submitted on or before the first Monday after fall break for funds for the following summer.  Application forms are available from the Director of Academic Grants.  Applications should be submitted to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and must follow the guidelines for grant proposals. The Faculty Development Committee will review applications in time to notify applicants on or before November 15.  Late applications are considered only if funds remain uncommitted.  It is anticipated that four or five summer research awards will be budgeted each year.
           
d.         Eligibility and Selection:  All full-time members of the teaching faculty of the College are eligible.  After recommendation from the Faculty Development Committee, final approval is the responsibility of the Dean of the College.  Criteria for selection are the same as for sabbatical leaves.
           
e.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a summer research award should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and the department chair.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of fall semester.

2.10.1.3           FACULTY SUMMER STUDY AWARD

a.         Stipend:  Stipends for this program are $2000 and are paid in equal installments in May and June.
           
b.         Purpose and Obligations:  The summer study project must involve in-depth study of a teaching-related field over at least a five-week period.  Grantees may accept additional grants awarded by the College or from external sources to cover research expenses, but may not accept paid teaching assignments during the five-week period.  Application for grants-in-time in the summer to pursue teaching-related activities should be directed to the Faculty Development Committee.

c.         Application:  Applications should be submitted on or before October 1 for grants for the following summer.  Applications should be submitted to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and must follow the guidelines for grant proposals.   The Faculty Development Committee will review applications in time to notify applicants on or before November 15.  Late applications are considered only if funds remain uncommitted.
           
d.         Eligibility and Selection:  All full-time members of the teaching faculty of the College are eligible. After recommendation from the Faculty Development Committee, final approval is the responsibility of the Dean of the College.  Criteria for selection are the same as for sabbatical leaves.
                                                           
e.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a summer study award should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and the department chair.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of fall semester.

2.10.1.4           FACULTY RESEARCH YEAR (GRANT-IN-TIME)

a.         Stipend:  Grantees of the Faculty Research Year are granted either or both of the following options:

1.         Release from all committee and new student advising assignments and release from all departmental assignments except teaching

2.         A reduction of the teaching load of up to two course units for the Faculty Research Year.

The Faculty Research Year is funded through the Faculty Development Committee.  All costs incurred by a department in granting a reduction in teaching load will be paid by the Faculty Development Committee.
                       
b.         Purpose and Obligations:  The Faculty Research Year is a program designed to encourage and assist the faculty member in research pursuits without a complete cessation of teaching.  It is designed as an alternative to the leave of absence and to the sabbatical leave programs, not as a substitute for them. Grantees are expected to devote an amount of time to the research project at least equivalent to the released time.

c.         Application:  Applications should be submitted on or before October 1 to be effective during the following academic year.  Application for the Faculty Research Year should be submitted to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and must follow the guidelines for grant proposals.  The department chair and the Dean of the College must approve the reduction of academic responsibilities before application can be made. A statement of the proposed coverage and the estimated cost should be included with the grant application.

The Faculty Development Committee will review applications in time to notify applicants on or before March 1.  Late applications are considered only if funds remain uncommitted.  It is anticipated that no more than four Faculty Research Years will be budgeted in any year.
           
d.         Eligibility and Selection:  The Faculty Research Year program is open to any full-time member of the teaching faculty who has at least three years of service at the College. After recommendation from the Faculty Development Committee, final approval is the responsibility of the Dean of the College.  Criteria for selection are the same as for sabbatical leaves. An applicant who is recommended and approved for a Faculty Research Year will not be eligible again for five years.  Participation in the Faculty Research Year has no impact on eligibility for sabbatical considerations.

e.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a Faculty Research Year should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and the department chair.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the Faculty Research Year.

 

 

 

2.10.1.6           FACULTY RESEARCH GRANTS/STARTER GRANTS

a.         Stipend:  The Faculty Research Grant covers research-related expenses; it is not a stipend.  There is not a specified minimum or maximum allowance; in recent years, the range has been $200 to $2000.

b.         Purpose and Obligations:  Faculty Research Grants are designed to encourage and support   faculty, with special emphasis on efforts leading to professional publications, presentations, and performances.  Grants are awarded to cover research-related expenses such as travel to libraries, supplies and equipment, and student help.
           
Starter Grants are a special category of the Faculty Research Grant.  These grants are designed to assist beginning faculty (in the first three years at Roanoke College) in initiating a research program.  All other procedures and responsibilities of Faculty Research Grants are the same.

c.         Application:  There are two application periods. Applications should be submitted on or before the first Monday after fall break for money to be spent between January 1 and June 30 of the following calendar year. Applications should be submitted on or before February 1 for money to be spent between May 1 and December 31 of the same calendar year. February applications must specify the amount of money to be spent prior to July 1 and the amount of money to be spent July 1 or after. The overlap in funding terms eases problems created by the change of the College's fiscal year in the middle of each summer. Applications should be submitted to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and must follow the guidelines for grant proposals. The Faculty Development Committee will review applications in time to notify applicants on or before November 15 in the fall application period and on or before March 1 in the spring application period. Late applications are considered only if funds remain uncommitted. The number of faculty grants awarded in a given year will vary depending on the size of grants given.

d.         Eligibility and Selection:  The full-time members of the teaching faculty of Roanoke College are eligible for Faculty Research Grants.  After recommendation from the Faculty Development Committee, final approval is the responsibility of the Dean of the College.  Criteria for selection are the same as for sabbatical leaves. 
                                                           
e.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a Faculty Research Grant should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and the department chair.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the use of the funds.

2.10.1.7           FACULTY SCHOLAR PROGRAM

a.         Stipend:  Funding of $500 per year will be available for travel and other research-related expenses.

b.         Purpose:  The purpose is to enable the faculty member to develop or maintain a program of scholarly activity.  The usual teaching load is reduced by one course .

c.         Application:  Applications should be submitted to the Faculty Development Committee on or before the first Monday after fall break for the next academic year.

d.         Eligibility:  All full-time tenure-track faculty members are eligible.  Participation in the program may be renewed indefinitely upon recommendation of the Faculty Development Committee.  Scholars remain eligible for all other types of support described in this Handbook.

e.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a Faculty Scholar should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee and the department chair.  This report  should be submitted within the first six weeks of each fall semester during the three-year Roanoke Faculty Scholar term.

2.10.1.8           CLUSTERS AND TASK FORCES

Clusters are small groups of faculty members working on a topic related to their teaching and/or faculty development.  These have included such diverse topics as Learning and Motivation, Traditions, Professional Assessment and Development, Faculty Morale, and Resource Exchange (which organized and hosted a conference on "Teaching/Learning About Women").

Task forces are also small groups of faculty working on faculty development in an area of immediate or short-term interest.  Application deadline is October 1.

Final Report:  Clusters and Task forces should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the funded period.

2.10.1.9           WORKSHOPS

Faculty development workshops are sponsored periodically.  Most of these are held on campus and deal with the development of specific skills, such as the use of a software package.  Since they are considered as part of a faculty member's normal professional development, no stipends are paid to participants.  However, participants are usually reimbursed for expenses such as travel and meals.

In exceptional cases, stipends may be provided.  Such cases include workshops which

a.         directly benefit the College as well as the individual faculty member,

b.         retrain faculty so that they can implement College-wide goals for the curriculum, and

c.         require preparation and/or activities outside the workshop itself.  In such cases, the amount of the stipend will be determined by the availability of funds from the College and external sources.

Final Report:  Workshops should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the funded period.

2.10.1.10         FACULTY ENRICHMENT GRANTS

Faculty Enrichment Grants are grants awarded to faculty members for expenses incurred in the
enrichment of the faculty member's teaching activities for which no funds are available from
within the faculty member's department.  Expenses may include travel to workshops, symposia,
or conferences that are not held on a regular basis.  The maximum amount of such a grant is
$600.  Application deadlines are October 1 and February 1.

Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted an Enrichment Grant should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the funded period.

2.10.1.11         FACULTY INTERNSHIP GRANTS

Faculty Internship Grants are grants awarded to a faculty member for expenses incurred in
travel to or during the faculty member's participation in an internship program which will
enhance the member's teaching activities.  The maximum amount of such a grant is $600.
Application deadlines are October 1 and February 1.

Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a Faculty Internship Grant should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the funded period.

2.10.1.12         CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Curriculum development grants are awards of up to $2,000 to faculty members for work on
projects relating directly to teaching.  Projects may be directed toward new course development,
significant changes in existing courses, or production of new materials for an existing course. 
Funds may be used for expenses or stipends (up to $400 per week full-time work), but are not intended for equipment purchases.  For the development of an Intensive Learning course, members of the faculty are encouraged to apply to the Intensive Learning Group for funds before applying to the FDC.  Application deadlines are October 1 and February 1.

Final Report:  Faculty who have been granted a Curriculum Development Grant should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the funded period.

2.10.1.13         CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SEMESTER
(GRANT-IN-TIME)

a.         Stipend:  Faculty who are granted a Curriculum Development semester receive a one-course reassignment.

b.         Purpose and Obligation:  The Curriculum Development Semester is designed
to encourage and to assist a faculty member in faculty development without a complete
cessation of teaching.  It is comparable to a Faculty Research Semester, except that released time is spent on course development rather than on a research project.  Grantees are expected to devote an amount of time to the course development at least equivalent to the released time.

c.         Eligibility and Application:  Applications should be made by October 1 for the following academic year.  Application forms are available from the Faculty Development Committee.  The reduction in teaching responsibilities must have the approval of the department chair and the Dean of the College.  The completed application should be submitted to the FDC chair.  The Faculty Development Committee will review it, and the faculty member will be notified within four weeks whether or not the application has been approved.  There is no limit on the number of Curriculum Development Semesters that may be granted to an individual, but ordinarily no more than one such award may be made for developing the same course.

d.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been awarded a Curriculum Development semester submit a written report within four weeks of the beginning of the next semester following the award.  Copies of the report should be submitted to the FDC chair and to the
department chair.

2.10.1.14         COURSE MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT GRANT

Course materials development grants are awards of up to $1,500 to fund the acquisition of specialized, permanent teaching materials for new courses or significant upgrades of existing courses. Applicants must demonstrate that these materials are essential to a course's instruction and that the proposed course represents a significant contribution to the College's curriculum. Applications must be accompanied by a Chair's endorsement which specifically indicates that the materials represent too much of a burden on the department's budget. Departments must make a good faith effort to defray a portion of the costs of the new materials. For the development of an Intensive Learning course, members of the faculty are encouraged to apply to the Intensive Learning Group for funds before applying to the FDC.  Note: This grant is intended as an alternative to the Curriculum Development Grant, which does not fund materials and/or equipment purchases for course development. Application deadline is February 1.

Final Report: Faculty who have been granted a Course Materials Development Grant should submit a written report and assessment of the period to the chair of the Faculty Development Committee. This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the completion of the funded period.

2.10.2  PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE

2.10.2.1           FACULTY PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT GRANTS
a.         Stipend:  The Faculty Professional Advancement Grants provide a means to supplement departmental funds for faculty engaging in professional scholarship activities.  They are not stipends.  An individual may receive no more than $600 in a given fiscal year.
                                                                       
b.         Purpose and Obligations:  The Faculty Professional Advancement Grant is designed to support activities that assist the faculty member in advancing professionally.  These grants provide funds for faculty members traveling to give papers, chair sessions, serve on panels, etc., and to pay publishing page costs, manuscript preparation costs, and exhibition costs.

c.         Application:  Four application deadlines occur during the year:
·          September 15 - for travel support from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31
·          December 15 - for travel support from January 1 through March 31
·          March 15 - for travel support from April 1 through June 30
·          May 15 - for travel support from July 1 through September 30
           
Application forms are available in Word on the Public “Y” drive, Departments/ Forms/Faculty Professional Development.  Application for a Faculty Professional Advancement Grant should be submitted to the Dean of the College, who has final approval of grant requests.  For travel requests, a Travel Authorization Request form and an FPA Travel Supplement Request form should be included.

            The Dean of the College will review applications immediately after each deadline, so that applicants will be notified about the level of support allocated within two weeks of the deadline.

d.         Eligibility and Selection:  All full-time members of the teaching faculty at Roanoke College are eligible for a Faculty Professional Advancement Grant.  Priorities for
grants are follows: 

1.         publications,
2.         paper presentations,
3.         panel membership,
4.         chair of a session,
5.         officer I organization,
6.         and      a.         international,
b.         national,
c.         regional,         
d.         state.

e.         Final Report:  Faculty who have been awarded a Faculty Professional Advancement Grant should submit a written report and assessment of the activity to the Dean of the College and the department chair.  This report should be submitted within the first six weeks of the regular semester following the funded activity.  (Reimbursement forms

must be completed with the Business Office immediately following the activity.)