54 Employee/Professional Development

Policy Statement (Board Approval Date:  03/22/11)

1. Specialized Training: Murray State College provides opportunity for professional development for staff as deemed necessary and appropriate for their specific job and responsibilities.  This is normally considered a cost of doing business.  However, some training specific to job responsibilities must be provided which would only be considered cost effective if the employee continues employment with the institution and utilizes those skills for a period of time, e.g., various types of computer training and HVAC training.
2. Employee Development System: Murray State College is committed to the continuing education or training of faculty and staff.  Generalized and seminar specific education occurs on a regular basis.  It may be necessary for employees to gain additional education to address specific needs.  This can be done by providing educational options to the employee.  When funding or professional development release time is required or desired, refer to the appropriate procedural processes.

Procedure:

1. Specialized Training:
   1. In the event that some specialized training is necessary, an agreement/contract may be developed with the individual receiving specialized training that identifies the total cost of said training and specifies the service commitment required to the institution by the individual trainee upon completion of training. The agreement will clearly state the specific terms including the costs/consequences to the trainee for failure to meet the service commitment. The agreement is located on MSC Forms.
2. Fall and Spring Employee Development Sessions: Full-time employees are required to attend employee development sessions in the fall and spring (six hours each for fall and spring).  Non-compliance with the employee development requirements will result in forfeiture of any increase in or additional compensation for the following fiscal year and placement of a written reprimand in the employee’s official personnel file.  “Non-compliance” for purposes of this procedure means failure to complete the employee development requirements.
   1. Fall Employee Development: Fall employee development is accomplished by employee attendance as a group to a session coordinated and announced by the Employee Development Committee.
   2. Spring Employee Development: Spring employee development is accomplished by employee participation in supervisor-approved, on- or off-campus training.  Spring employee development supports the closing of campus for Professional Development Work Day, which is Friday before the Easter holiday.  Supervisors must submit a list of approved training for their employees to the Human Resources Office by March 15 and submit documentation of completed training with the employee’s annual evaluation form (which is due by April 30).