The College shall provide opportunity for tenure, tenure track, temporary full-time and special programs faculty members to pursue learning opportunities for study, research, and creative activities for the enhancement of the College’s instructional programs and research interests. The College shall make provisions to recognize faculty members’ professional advancement.

335.005 CREDIT EQUIVALENTS

Professional Placement and Advancement Committee (PPAC) considers applications for credit equivalents only; the Committee does not assess academic credit courses. Additional details regarding academic credits and salary advancement are contained in the CC/AHE Agreement.

Workshops and conferences at the college expense will be recognized by the College for faculty and staff advancement, provided they are related to the faculty member's teaching responsibilities. Requests for such credits must be initiated by the faculty member and submitted to PPAC by June 1 for approval by June 30 in order to be considered for the next academic year. Prior approval should be sought from the committee before undertaking such endeavors. Each credit equivalent will be equal to one advancement unit.

Guidelines for Application 

1. Work to be considered must be consistent with the applicant’s current faculty assignment.
   
   
2. Any application to PPAC must be submitted to the Office of Instruction at least three weeks prior to the announced meeting so that PPAC may make a preliminary determination of the proposal's acceptability for credit equivalents.
   
   
3. PPAC provides the applicant with an Application for Credit Equivalents form for use when the project/activity is completed. The Application for Credit Equivalents form must be submitted to PPAC within one year of the date the project/activity is completed.
   
   
4. The Application for Credit Equivalents form must be submitted to the Office of Instruction on or before June 1 for approval by June 30 in order to be considered for the next academic year.

Guidelines for Evaluating Credit Equivalents

1. Faculty members may apply to receive credit equivalents as a means to advance on the salary schedule after initial placement for any of the projects/activities listed below. Each credit equivalent will equal one advancement unit.

a. The following projects/activities can be awarded maximum credit equivalents as indicated within each reporting year (no more than five credit equivalents will be recommended for any one topic):

                (1) Research, fieldwork, focused reading, writing, publishing (15 credits)
                (2) Professional work experience (10 credits)
                (3) Conferences, workshops, seminars (10 credits)

b. Credit equivalents are awarded based on the following ratio:

                (1) Research, fieldwork, focused reading, writing, publishing (20 hours = 1.0 credit equivalent)
                (2) Professional work experience (30 hours = 1.0 credit equivalent)|
                (3) Conferences, workshops, seminars (20 hours = 1.0 credit equivalent)

Requirements for Receiving Credit Equivalents 

1. Research, Fieldwork, Writing, Publishing

a. Research, including focused reading, fieldwork, writing, and/or publishing, must be related to the applicant’s current or closely related field (e.g., business, accounting). All projects must have a clearly stated objective, a tentative procedural plan, and documented results. These activities must be above and beyond current instructional responsibilities. Reading as research must be focused.

b. Research, fieldwork, focused reading, writing, and publishing completed as degree requirements for academic credit or on contracted College time are not eligible for credit equivalents.

c. Co-authors or collaborators of a fruitful research or publishing activity may receive a prorated share of the maximum credits.

d. A log documenting the hours devoted to the activity must accompany the Application for Credit Equivalents form.

2. Professional Work Experience

a. Professional, industrial, or business work experience must be consistent with the applicant's current College faculty assignment.

b. Professional, industrial, or business work experience may be compensated or not but must be pertinent work experience undertaken outside of contracted time or while on leave without pay.

c. Credit equivalents will not be given for work experience that was counted in computing initial salary placement.

d. A maximum of five credits may be earned for work experience the first year it is submitted. After the first year, a maximum of three credits may be earned in one reporting year for professional, industrial, or business work experience of a repetitious nature.

e. One hour of preparation time will be granted for each hour of teaching time outside of ClarkCollege. After the initial teaching experience, only the hours for teaching time will be counted.

3. Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars

a. Presentation at conferences, workshops, and seminars related to the individual's professional development may be counted as a professional development activity for credit equivalents. Credit equivalents may also be recommended for research, fieldwork, and writing done in preparation for the presentation. A log documenting the hours of outside preparation must accompany the Application for Credit Equivalents form. Up to ten (10) hours of preparation time may be recommended for each hour of presentation with any given distinct or different content.

b. Attendance at conferences, workshops, and seminars related to the individual's professional development may be counted as a professional development activity for credit equivalents; however, credit equivalents will not be recommended for outside preparation.

c. Credit equivalents may be recommended for PPAC approved in-service workshops; however, credit equivalents will not be recommended in lieu of payment to instructors teaching in-service classes during the regular instructional day.

d. Business or organizational meetings of professional associations are considered professional obligations and will not be granted credit equivalents.

Revised Policy/Procedure Approved by Executive Cabinet
June 13, 2017

 

335.010 SABBATICAL LEAVES

Refer to the CC/AHE Agreement for relevant policies and procedures on sabbatical leaves for faculty.