1. Use the budgeted development amount set aside by Staff Council and divide the amount in half.  Half of the money will be allocated for the period July through December and the other half will be allocated January through June.
    
2. The funding limit will be $200 per person per six-month allocation period (i.e. July through December and January through June).
    
3. Participation in Staff Development Funding will be limited to 2 courses per calendar year or $200 maximum funding per six months.  It is possible for a staff member to enroll in Continuing Education courses at a $20 rate up to a maximum funding of $200 per six-month period.
    
4. Courses offered through GCSU education opportunities (i.e. CE/PS, etc.) are to be considered above other equal educational providers.
    
5. To promote as many educational opportunities for staff as possible, funding will be limited to one person per department/unit for a similar or same off-campus non GCSU educational seminar/opportunity during a six-month funding period.  Staff members benefiting from development opportunities are encouraged to share their experiences with other staff to promote additional development among other staff.  (Draft supplement:  We want staff to come back to campus and share their educational experiences with other staff members rather than send multiple people from one department. The intent is to maximize the educational dollars offered by Staff Council.)
    
6. Annual/Professional membership dues are not eligible for staff development funds.
    
7. Staff Development funds are intended to be used as a supplement to departmental funds and they are not intended replace departmental funds.
    
8. Applicants must be at least a half-time (20 or more hours per week), permanent employee to receive Staff Development funds.
    
9. Applicants should make every effort to honor the registration commitments made.  If an applicant does not attend the development opportunity they applied for then personal funds will be required to replace any expended Staff Development funds and the employee will not be allowed to use Staff Development funds for 6 months.
    
10. If a similar course is offered through Georgia College & State University resources (i.e. Continuing Education, etc.) or by other means at a lower cost then the lower of the two costs will be paid.  The employee can attend the higher cost course, but the difference in funding will be made up with departmental funds or personal funds.
     
11. The annual cut-off for Staff Development Funds to be considered for the current fiscal (budget) year will be April 15.  If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the next normal business day will be the due date.  (4-5-07) 

Adopted by Staff Council November 2006