Faculty and Staff Training and Development
Date of Current Revision: January, 2007
Responsible Officer: Training Director
- PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to outline the university’s commitment to the development of its employees by providing and encouraging participation in a variety of job-related training and development opportunities.
- AUTHORITY
The Board of Visitors has granted the president with responsibility for the university’s effective operation, to include the development of its faculty and staff, and the authority to dictate policies and procedures in that effort. - DEFINITIONS
Not applicable - APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all university employees.
- POLICY
James Madison University encourages and supports the professional development of faculty and staff members. Participation in courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and meetings directly related to the goals and objectives of the university will be supported as funding is available to enable faculty and staff members to attain high levels of job performance.
The university will provide assistance and guidance, through department heads and supervisors, to faculty and staff members interested in increasing and maintaining their levels of job performance. The Training Department will develop a wide variety of training opportunities and will also publish offerings sponsored by the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management, as well as activities sponsored by the university and outside sources.
Participation in professional development and training activities is subject to supervisory approval and employee workloads.
JMU will not pay for training taken to meet minimum requirements of an employee’s present job, or for training that is part of a program of study that will qualify the employee for a new trade or business.
- PROCEDURES
Departments or Training and Development may approve reimbursement or advance payment for any professional development opportunity or job-related training that is directly related to the goals and objectives of the university, subject to available funding.
Training and Development will reimburse employees for course work toward job-related certification and licenses after the passing of the certification or license exam, based on active employment with JMU and availability of funds.
Advance payment or reimbursement for professional development or training, including job-related licenses and certifications, is at the discretion of the employee’s department. Using JESS, Employee Self Service, a record will be maintained of training and development activities undertaken by faculty and staff members. Faculty and staff members are provided an opportunity to examine their professional development records in this self-service functionality.
A systematic review of training needs will be made periodically to assess the training and development needs of university faculty and staff members. Such assessments will provide the basis for planning and programming university training activities.
- RESPONSIBILITIES
The Training and Development Department is responsible for developing and publicizing a variety of training opportunities based on its research of the needs of university staff, faculty and departments.
Supervisors are responsible for encouraging those they lead to participate in training and to allow for scheduling flexibility that frees employees to be trained. - SANCTIONS
Employees who violate this policy are subject to discipline commensurate with the severity and/or frequency of the offense and may include termination of employment.
- EXCLUSIONS
Educational opportunities covered in Policies 1401 and 1402 are exluded from Policy 1403.
- INTERPRETATION
The authority to interpret this policy rests with the president, and is generally delegated to the Director of Training.
Approved by the President: May, 2002
Index of Terms
Training
Training Opportunities