Bates College recognizes that the skills and knowledge of its employees are critical to the success of the College. Therefore, the College provides opportunities for professional development through training and educational programs. Section 330.1 describes the educational assistance program, and encourages personal development through formal education to assist employees in maintaining and improving job-related skills or enhance their ability to compete for reasonably attainable jobs within Bates College.

Individual courses or courses that are part of a degree, licensing, or certification program must be related to the employee's current job duties or a foreseeable-future position in the organization in order to be eligible for 100% reimbursement educational assistance. Bates College has the sole discretion to determine whether a course relates to an employee's current job duties. Employees should contact the Human Resources Department for more information or questions about educational assistance.

While educational assistance is expected to enhance employee's performance and professional abilities, Bates College cannot guarantee that participation in formal education will entitle the employee to automatic advancement to a different job assignment, or pay increases.

Nonetheless, staff members are expected to grow and develop their professional skills as a condition of employment, to ensure that their contributions remain aligned with the needs of their department and the College. Supervisors are encouraged to develop good job descriptions and professional development plans for each employee and provide the appropriate support and opportunities to ensure employees develop their skills and competencies in line with the College's mission and goals.

The College will continue to offer employees opportunity for professional development with training programs on and off-campus. The cornerstones for a good training and development program are good job descriptions, and individual professional development plans. A professional development plan will outline for the employee and their supervisor where the individual's and the College's efforts should be best directed to enhance the employee's potential contributions to the College. Professional Development plans ensure that the efforts of employees are connected to the mission and goals of the College.

The Human Resources Department can assist supervisors and staff members with creating and monitoring professional development plans. Human Resources can also assist with developing accurate job descriptions and clarifying the link between departmental goals and Goals 2005.

The training function within the Human Resources Department can also assist supervisors with designing and developing training solutions for their specific department and is responsible for campus-wide training programs.

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330.1 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR BATES COLLEGE EMPLOYEES

As a private educational institution, supporting the concept that education should be a lifelong process, Bates College encourages the educational pursuits of its employees. The options available under this Educational Assistance Program serve to benefit both the institution and its staff.

Three types of educational programs are covered:

330.1a Job Specific Courses — A single undergraduate level or non-credit course or class, specifically determined to be essential to the employee's present job and taken at the supervisor's request, at another educational institution or training location.

Eligibility: Regular employees, Immediately.

Cost: The fee is fully paid by the College. This policy also applies to training sessions and special 1-day courses.

Application: To the Department Head or senior officer. The Director of Human Resources hears appeals for eligibility and participation in this program.

Time: Whenever possible, courses should be taken outside working hours. Whenever it is necessary to take a required course during working hours, the employee will receive pay for the time he/she is in class.

330.1b Courses at Bates — A course or series of courses taken at Bates College at the employee's initiative.

Eligibility: Regular employees, after one year of regular employment.

Cost: One course per semester at Bates, for credit as a special student, will be paid for by the College for regular full-time employees. The cost of the benefit is pro-rated for regular part-time employees. The costs include the application fee. There is a limit of six courses which may be accumulated with special student status.

Application: Application forms are available at the Registrar's Office.

Employees apply for special student status by submitting an application form. Qualified employees are admitted on a first come first served basis, as space permits. Written permission of the instructor is necessary for all special students.

Time: Whenever possible, courses should be taken outside working hours. Courses occurring during regular working hours may be taken provided that it is possible to work out with the supervisor a satisfactory arrangement for rescheduling or otherwise making up missed hours, thereby meeting the responsibility or duties of the employee's position.

330.1c Elective Courses — Undergraduate, graduate, or non-credit classes or courses related to the employee's potential development, taken at another institution at the employee's initiative.

Eligibility: Regular employees, following three years of continuous employment. Limited to two courses each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) per employee.

Cost: 50% of the tuition is reimbursed by the College upon satisfactory completion of the course for regular full-time employees. The cost of the benefit is pro-rated for regular part-time employees.

Application: To the Department Head and the Director of Human Resources who must concur.

Time: The program must be completed on the employee's own time. Work schedules may be rearranged as long as the needs of the department can be met.

Source: Employee Handbook, Section 330.

Latest update: 06/16/06