2017-18 Unit Plan
Professional Development Committee

Mission Statement

Professional Development provides all Butte College employees with learning opportunities needed to accomplish the college’s mission and strategic initiatives.

Program Description

The Professional Development structure, a participatory governance Steering Committee chaired by the Faculty Professional Development Coordinator and guided by the Professional Development Leadership Team (PDLT), embodies the college’s six strategic initiatives as it directs key programs, develops workshops, and provides for custom professional development and ensures continuous review and evaluation of the program.  

The Professional Development Steering committee includes 5 faculty members, 4 classified members, 4 MSC/Administration members, and a student; this committee provides overall program and budget oversight.  Flex committees for Faculty and Classified plus a team of managers direct the development of workshops and trainings focused on, but not exclusive to, their constituencies.  The full-time faculty flex obligation for 2017/2018 will be 11 days (6 in the fall semester and 5 in the spring semester). Total Flex hours required of full-time faculty number 66.

The Professional Development Leadership Team (PDLT) combines Classified, MSC and Faculty Coordinators, plus an Administrative Secretary--non-instructional.  The Faculty Coordinator reports to the Vice President of Student Learning and Economic Development (SLED); the MSC and Classified Coordinators report to the Vice President for Planning, Research and Organizational Development (PROD).  In addition, the respective coordinators report and meet regularly with their constituent groups (Management Association, Academic Senate and Classified Senate).
 
Butte College’s Professional Development programs provide the opportunity for full-time faculty, associate faculty, classified staff, and management, supervisory and confidential (MSC) staff to increase their skills and pursue professional interests, maintain currency in technology, deepen knowledge of District values, policies and processes, and network with District colleagues.  

Professional Development provides faculty with numerous options to fulfill their Flex obligation.  The Faculty Annual Flex Plan will ensure faculty consider their professional development goals in advance; identify potential activities to achieve the goals and assess the benefit and outcomes at the end of the academic year.  No more than 50% of full-time faculty Flex obligation may be met through individual activity contracts/travel and conference (75% with Dean’s approval).  Full-time Faculty Flex activities are tracked by Professional Development, and reported to the Vice President of Student Learning and Economic Development (SLED) and Human Resources at the end of each academic year. The MSC group maintains a mentorship program whereby new MSC employees are paired with others within the group to help them transition into their new roles.  Additionally, a monthly training session is held to present topics of interest to the group. 
 
Classified professional development is the focus of a week of training during spring break, with workshops that are also open to all faculty and MSC employees.  Classified Day, held at the end of the spring term is a day dedicated to professional development training and employee networking exclusively for classified staff.  In the 2014/2015 academic year  a regularly scheduled time slot for workshops, called Third Thursday Workshops was implemented allowing staff to plan their participation in advance. This successful workshop series continues and is ongoing.  

BEEP, the Butte Employee Education Program, is a regular institutional series, with each of four distinct sessions per year scheduled in advance.  All new employees are encouraged to attend and all seasoned/veteran employees are invited to participate. 

Professional Development is dedicated to increasing participation by all Butte College employees and expanding professional growth opportunities for all employee groups.  We use Active Data Calendar to promote workshops and activities, making it easy for all employee groups to see and schedule upcoming events from their own desktops. Since 2014, additional focus has been placed on the development of online flex activities to further expand employee access to professional development. We will continue to provide high quality constituency-focused programs, and sponsor a series of social and networking events for all employees in the Center for Excellence.

Professional Development will continue to enhance college vitality by providing workshops and trainings that support excellence in teaching and learning, and the District's strategic initiatives. To ensure consistency in approach and focus, the Professional Development Leadership Team strongly recommends that the District require all incoming professional development funding and activities, regardless of source, be coordinated with the established Professional Development Steering Committee.  The Professional Development Leadership Team (PDLT) also recommends that the Steering Committee be consulted prior to applying for any grant funded professional development related opportunities.

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes


        

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (OSLED Departments)

Professional Development offers workshops and activities pertaining to the following topics to support the college's efforts to meet student achievement standards:

Professional Developkent also offers orientation programs and facilitates professional partnerships, leadership development, and travel and conference opportunities for all college employees.


Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)


        

Strategic Direction

The Professional Development structure, a participatory governance Steering Committee chaired by the Faculty Professional Development Coordinator and guided by the Professional Development Leadership Team (PDLT), embodies the college's six strategic initiatives as it directs key programs, develops workshops, provides for custom professional development, and ensures continuous review and evaluation of the program.

Professional Development is responsive to the campus community and demonstrates creativity and flexibility while maintaining integrity with regard to established processes.

Professional Development strongly supports Strategic Initiative #2.

2. Supporting Student, Faculty, and Staff Success

Butte College recognizes that student success depends on student engagement, employee development, and enhancing a collaborative environment that provides the opportunity for varying perspectives to be heard. Precisely because of its focus on student success the college provides support tools and resources so that students, faculty, and staff can be successful.

The college will use the following strategies to implement this initiative:

b. Employee Development.

The college supports faculty, staff, and managers by:

1) Providing just-in-time and scheduled Professional Development opportunities.

2) Creating a positive campus culture aligned with its values.

3) Supporting currency in national and state effective practices.

4) Focusing Professional Development on:

a) Intellectual climate and teaching excellence

b) Improvement based on Learning Outcomes (Course, Program, General Education, Administrative and Student Services).

c) Guided Pathways

d) Meaningful dialogue.

e) Professional and technical expertise for faculty, staff, and managers.

f) Digital and data resources.

g) Technology

c. Wellness.

The college fosters employee and student peak performance by encouraging wellness. It does this by:

1) Maintaining a wellness committee to implement a comprehensive wellness education program (occupational, social, spiritual, mental, financial, emotional, and physical health) that includes:

a) Identification of relevant wellness programs, services and resources.

b) Ongoing workshops and events related to wellness education.

c) Creative ideas to encourage wellness coordinated with the Professional Development Committee.

2) Promoting strategies to avoid burnout among faculty, staff and managers given the significant workload of many employees.

3) Expanding availability of mental health services.

4) Promoting wellness in the aesthetics and functions of offices, classrooms, public spaces, and landscape design.


Program Review


        

Department Goals

Professional Development will:


Future Development Strategies

Strategy 1 - Develop & Expand Professional Development/Align Faculty Opportunities with Title 5

A. Professional Development will continue to develop, expand, and refine professional development programs and activities to address the professional development needs of all college employees. Augmentations will be requested when necessary to provide professional development workshops and training to faculty, staff, and administrators across campus.

Examples of Augmentation Requests for a Fall Semester

  • AJ Party Rentals tables and chairs for Institute Day employee barbecue
  • In-Tents Events to set up canopies over tables used for Institute Day employee barbecue
  • Great Teachers Seminar
  • On Course Workshop
  • Training Place soft skills training for administrators/managers
  • Faculty Classroom Exchange Program
  • MyLearningPlan Flex Tracking Software

Examples of Augmentation Requests for a Spring Semester

  • Instructional Skills Workshop
  • On Course Workshop
  • Training Place soft skills training for administrators/managers
  • Faculty Classroom Exchange Program
  • MyLearningPlan Flex Tracking Software

B. Professional Development will communicate and enforce guidelines to ensure activities eligible for Flex credit are in compliance with Title 5 guidelines for Faculty Professional Development. 

 


Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
  • Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
  • Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
  • Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
  • Enhancing a Culture of Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

The Professional Development Faculty Flex Committee continues develop, expand, and refine faculty professional development opportunities at Butte College. Title 5 guidelines and established policies for Professional Development activities ensure compliance and accountability with the flex opportunities sponsored by Butte College.


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 2 - Align Workshops with College Strategic Initiatives

Professional Development will continue to develop workshops for all constituencies aligned with current Strategic Initiatives.


Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
  • Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
  • Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
  • Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
  • Enhancing a Culture of Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

The Professional Development Steering Committee promotes partnerships between Professional Development and Administration and Governance. Professional Development educates all constituencies regarding the District’s current Strategic Initiatives to ensure broad-based support and effective use of in-house expertise.  

On-campus Professional Development opportunites for all employees are offered in areas such as Teaching & Learning, Project Management, Conflict Management, Motivation, Leadership, Technology Applications, and many more.


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 3 - Promote & Enforce Guidelines for CFE Use

Professional Development will continue to communicate and enforce guidelines for use of the Center For Excellence.


Initiatives
  • Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
  • Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
  • Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
  • Enhancing a Culture of Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

While progress has been made to improve processes, inappropriate use requests for the CFE continue because there are so few venues on campus that can accommodate more than 100 people. CFE use requests for student events continue to come in despite the venue's Faculty and Staff focus. Fire and safety occupancy issues have arisen at some events. Publishing and enforcing guidelines assists the support staff and reduces the time needed to address requests. Promoting alternate venues for events and meetings that fall outside of the CFE usage guidelines help to alleviate inappropriate requests.


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 4 - Manage and Improve Data Collection (Electronic and Hard Copy)

Professional Development continues to assess and improve data collection. The program has sought further integrations with Colleague and SharePoint software currently makes it easier for full-time faculty to engage with the planning and tracking process of their Flex obligation and overload opportunities (if applicable). Much of the data entry work is done by a student assistant. JotForms electronic forms serve as replacements for paper forms/applications when appropriate. Paper forms will be revised and updated to reflect current contract language.

A Flex tracking software package worth investigating is MyLearningPlan www.mylearningplan.com at the special negotiated pricing for 4CSD members of $1500 for set up (vs. $2500) and $12 for each full-time faculty/administrator and $8 for each classified staff and associate faculty member.


Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
  • Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
  • Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
  • Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning

Supporting Rationale

Full-time faculty can view and track their Flex hours electronically via MyBC. Professional Development continues to collect and evaluate learning outcomes data from the Butte College Leader Development Institute, Great Teachers, Associate Faculty Flex activities, new employee orientations, and all other programs.

Electronic forms and applications make application and data collection easier both for applicants and for Professional Development staff. Paper forms will be revised and updated to reflect current contract language.


Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Strategy 5 - Provide Additional Administrative Support / Additional Reassign Time for Faculty Professional Development Coordinator

Professional Development requires its own administrative support position separate from the Academic Senate administrative support position.

In order to provide requested professional development support to campus initiatives and projects (Innovation Award Travel & Conference, Accreditation, Guided Pathways, Strategic Planning), the Faculty Professional Development Coordinator requires additional reassign time.


Initiatives
  • Modeling Sustainability
  • Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
  • Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success

Supporting Rationale

The Professional Development Leadership Team strongly recommends this separation due to increasing challenges which include:

  • MOU regarding Flex obligation which requires Professional Development to have all data for full-time faculty Flex online and available for review.
  • Academic Senate's high demands for administrative support staff  overlaps and conflicts with the periods of highest demand for administrative support staff for Professional Development. Some examples include:
    • Beginning and end of fiscal year when budgets are being created and major expenditures are being made
    • Beginning and end of each semester when Flex and Institute Days are being actively supported.
  • Expansion of Professional Development opportunities (for example, online workshops, the 2-day On Course Workshop, Travel & Conference, Faculty Classroom Exchange, Guided Pathways) requires additional planning, implementation, reporting and accountability. 

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports Previous Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Changes from Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: No

Requested Non-Financial Resources

Current Financial Resources

The current annual Professional Development budget is $66,649.00, $12,000 of which funds the Butte College Leader Development Institute (BCLDI). Student Equity funded a On Course workshops in collaboration with Professional Development during Flex Days in January and August 2016. Professional Development is able to offer $20,000 in Travel & Conference funding in collaboration with the Innovation Award.

Augmentation Requests

Original Priority Program, Unit, Area Resource Type Account Number Object Code One Time Augment Ongoing Augment
Description Supporting Rationale Potential Alternative Funding Sources Prioritization Criteria
1 Professional Development Personnel $0.00 $0.00
Increase Reassign Time for Faculty Coordinator to 75% Additional time is necessary for coordinator due to major revisions of faculty flex tracking, heavy workload, needed program innovations, collaboration with Student Success Initiatives, outreach to Chico State, and coordination of overall program with Classified and MSC coordinators. Although Professional Development is not currently funded at a level that fully supports innovation and collaboration, Pro Dev has begun healthy collaborations with other offices and initiative efforts on campus (Student Equity, Innovation Award, OSLED) to bring innovative programming to Butte College. Working with others and implementing the results of collaborative effots takes time. In 2015-16, the coordinator worked to bring highly successful 2- and 3-day On Course Workshops to campus (meetings, emails, contracts with On Course), rejuvenate and launch the Travel & Conference committee (help with recruiting members, application process, award letters), and create and launch the Faculty Classroom Exchange program (program form, emails). The coordinator has also provided leadership in researching electronic form software and implementing JotForms for selected Professional Development programs. In 2016-17, the coordinator has led Pro Dev efforts to support Guided Pathways, Accreditation, Strategic Planning, and collaboration with Human Resources and the Business Office. Each new Professional Development endeavor has also required the work of administrative support staff, including the Pro Dev student assistant. An increase of 25% reassign time for the Faculty Professional Development Coordinator would support the continuation and expansion of collaborative and innovative program development for all Butte College faculty, which would ultimately have a positive impact on student retention, achievement, and success.
  • Student Support Services Program (SSSP)
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
2 Professional Development Personnel $0.00 $0.00
Provide Additional Administrative Support (Collaboration with Academic Senate) Professional Development requires its own administrative support position separate from the Academic Senate administrative support position. The Professional Development Leadership Team strongly recommends this separation due to increasing challenges which include: MOU regarding Flex obligation requires Professional Development to have all data for full-time faculty Flex online and available for review. Academic Senate's high demands for administrative support staff overlaps and conflicts with the periods of highest demand for administrative support staff for Professional Development. Some examples include: Beginning and end of fiscal year when budgets are being created and major expenditures are being made Beginning and end of each semester when Flex and Institute Days are being actively supported. Expansion of Professional Development opportunities (online workshops, On Course workshops, Travel & Conference Innovation Award webpage/applications, Faculty Classroom Exchange) requires additional planning, implementation, reporting and accountability.
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
3 Professional Development Personnel $0.00 $0.00
Maintain Student Assistant Support at 10 hours/week In 2016-17, Professional Development was able to hire a student assistant (Federal Work Study) 10 hours per week. It is essential that Professional Development have a student assistant 10 hours per week to record and track faculty flex hours in a timely manner.
  • Maintaining core programs and services
4 Professional Development Operating Expenses $0.00 $3,420.00
Purchase My Learning Plan Flex Tracking Software (estimate for full-time faculty only) Flex tracking software My Learning Plan is used by colleges across the state and is available at a 4CSD-negotiated price for 4CSD members of $1500 for set up (vs. $2500) and $12 for each full-time faculty/administrator (Butte College employs approximately 160 full-time faculty) and $8 for each classified staff and associate faculty member.
  • Maintaining core programs and services
5 Professional Development Operating Expenses $0.00 $6,000.00
Increase Funding for Instructional Skills Workshop Butte College has recently hired large numbers of new full- and part-time faculty, all of whom are encouraged to participate in the intensive, four-day ISW. Although participants pay a $50 fee to participate, the current ISW budget is not adequate to cover facilitators' stipends, associate faculty stipends, food, and supplies costs for the number of faculty who would like to participate in the ISW.
  • Student Equity
  • Basic Skills Initiative
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
  • Meeting standards and working to achieve goals for course success, retention, degree achievement, certificate completion, transfer, and credentialing
6 Professional Development Operating Expenses $39,420.00 $0.00
Fund On Course Workshops Butte College has recently hired large numbers of new full- and part-time faculty, all of whom are encouraged to participate in active, learner-centered On Course training. The cost of the workshop includes the facilitator's fee, all participant materials, and catering during the workshop.
  • Student Equity
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
  • Meeting standards and working to achieve goals for course success, retention, degree achievement, certificate completion, transfer, and credentialing
7 Professional Development Operating Expenses $0.00 $10,000.00
Increase Funding for Great Teachers Seminar The Great Teachers Seminar facilitation team would like to move the seminar from Gold Country Casino to a retreat center that would be more appropriate for this professional faculty-centered event. Ideally, the venue would be within comfortable driving distance, but not local, and it would not be a casino.
  • Maintaining core programs and services
8 Professional Development Operating Expenses 11.000.400.1.675000 55200 $0.00 $30,000.00
Restore Ongoing Travel and Conference Funding The deletion of ongoing travel and conference funding for the past several years is the most notable reduction of Professional Development support and affects all constituent areas.
  • Student Equity
  • Basic Skills Initiative
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
  • Collaborating effectively with K-12 to set appropriate student expectations, align curriculum, and prepare students for college success
9 Professional Development Operating Expenses $0.00 $10,000.00
Fund Faculty Classroom Exchange Program Associate faculty who participate in the Faculty Classroom Exchange program for a minimum of three hours will be paid at the meeting rate for a maximum stipend of $100 per classroom exchange.
  • Student Equity
  • Basic Skills Initiative
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
10 Professional Development Facilities $19,000.00 $0.00
Employee Training Lab Upgrade (Collaboration with TMI) The primary use of the LB 216 lab is by employees. Technology Mediated Instruction (TMI) holds workshops year-round in the use of the District’s LMS. The lab is also used by Professional Development and Information Technology Support & Services. This lab is the only dedicated space for training staff and faculty, and has not had any updates (hardware or otherwise) in over seven years. Please refer to the 'Employee Training Lab Justification and Cost Estimate Breakdown' document for background and project details (this document has been provided to IT leadership, Professional Development leadership and Dean Luozhu Cen).
  • Scheduled Maintenance (Facilities)
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
11 Professional Development Operating Expenses 11-000-310-1-678030 55630 $60,000.00 $0.00
Colleague Consulting and Training Faculty and staff need training and consulting (6 weeks) in order to improve their ability to use Colleague effectively and efficiently.
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Using data, research and collaborative efforts among divisions and departments to develop appropriate course offerings, locations and modalities
12 Professional Development Equipment $6,000.00 $0.00
Upgrade Computer Workstations for Classified Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, and Student Assitant Workstations are outdated and are in need of upgrade. For health reasons, faculty professional development coordinator needs an adjustable desk.
  • Resolving health, life, and safety issues
  • Maintaining core programs and services
  • Directly supporting meeting department standards/goals for student achievement and/or supporting the college in meeting its student achievement standards and/or goals
13 Professional Development Facilities 11.000.400.1.675000 56220 $6,000.00 $0.00
Add Electrical Outlets in CFE The CFE needs an electrical upgrade to maximize use of facility.
  • Scheduled Maintenance (Facilities)
  • Resolving health, life, and safety issues
  • Maintaining core programs and services
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