Article 16 - Professional Development

Feb 27, 2006 2:10 PM

A. Faculty Development

Following notification of their qualifications and credentials pursuant to Article 9, all Faculty Members should involve themselves as fully as possible in self-renewing creative and scholarly activities. The responsibility for creating such activities lies with the institution as well as the Faculty Members themselves. Such development activities include but are not limited to service to the institution, such as participation on faculty committees, competitions, etc., community service, creative endeavors, professional memberships, further education, publications and scholarship. As required by the School’s accrediting and licensing agencies, each Faculty Member will create and participate in the completion of a Faculty development plan, developed on a form approved by the accrediting agency, and the plan’s execution. This plan will be renewed and updated annually and will set out and document training and professional growth activities designed to enhance Faculty expertise.

B. Professional Development Activities

Each contract year Faculty Members will be reimbursed up to the stated amounts below for the following:

1. Tuition Reimbursement
   
   Tuition and all expenses except books, late fees and penalties will be reimbursed for completing with a minimum grade of “C” or certificate of completion and/or award of CEU: a. Credits from accredited institutions that are related to classes taught at AiNYC or which improve professional skills of the Instructor.
   b. Credits in degree and/or certificate programs that are acceptable for Rank qualification.
   c. Non-credit courses, workshops, seminars, etc. related to classes taught at AiNYC or which improve professional skills of the Instructor and offered by approved institutions or organizations.An Instructor who has verified tuition payments for reimbursable course(s) described above shall be advanced one hundred percent of such payments, subject to the Instructor signing an agreement (set forth in Appendix 4) authorizing the School to deduct from his/her paychecks the amount so advanced should he/she fail to complete the course(s) in accordance with the conditions set forth in this Section A-1.
2. Industry Association Memberships
   
   Full-time Instructors will receive up to two memberships per contract year. Part-time Instructors will receive one membership per contract year. Eligibility for this benefit is after completion of the probationary period.
3. Dining Allowance
   
   Up to one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per contract year shall be reimbursed for culinary, management and career development Faculty Member visits to externship sites. Instructors will provide a brief report of the dining experience to the Dean for circulation to the Faculty. No reimbursement will be made for alcoholic beverage costs.
4. Subscription to Professional Magazine
   Full-time and part-time Instructors will be reimbursed for the cost of one professional magazine subscription each contract year.

C. General Conditions

1. Professional development activities of Faculty Members shall not interfere with the instructional program. Normally professional development activities will be undertaken on the Instructor’s own time, but exceptions will be allowed if sufficient notice is given and if arrangements for any necessary coverage can be made. Any overtime necessitated by the granting of such exception will be deducted from the Faculty Member’s professional development allowance.
2. Eligibility for reimbursement is after completion of the probationary period.
3. Reimbursement will be promptly made upon evidence that the required conditions have been fulfilled.
4. Travel expenses are not reimbursed except in instances where coursework taken under paragraph B-1-a above requires an in-residence session. In such instances up to five hundred dollars ($500) of travel expenses shall be reimbursed subject to the limitations above. Only travel, lodging and meal expenses will be covered. No reimbursement will be made for alcoholic beverage costs.

D. Approvals

1. The Dean of Academic Affairs or his/her designated representative will pre-approve requests by Instructors for reimbursement that are for the purposes and that meet the conditions described above up to their allowable maximum per contract year.
2. The Dean of Academic Affairs or his/her designated representative may pre-approve payments requested by Faculty Members for other professional development activities not specified above. Any such pre-approved payments shall be published and applied in a non-discriminatory way. If a request is denied, the reason for denial shall be stated in writing.

E. School Authorized Events

1. AiNYC will continue the practice of full reimbursement for expenses incurred for School sponsored representation at events such as but not limited to SCP, and ACF shows and competitions, Coupe de Nations, Patisse France, Tribeca Film Festival, and NYC Fashion Week. Such reimbursement is funded separately from the Professional Development funds and not deducted from the Professional Development allowance provided in this Article. In addition, appropriate release time will be granted without charge to pay or time banks in order to accommodate the needs of participating Instructors.
2. All events sponsored by AiNYC/EDMC that include Faculty participation will be posted. For sponsored non-competitive events qualified applicants will be selected in seniority order on a rotation basis.

* Those holidays and non-instructional days marked by an asterisk will be celebrated during the winter and summer breaks as identified in Article 14.