NEW COURSE GRANTS
The FDB encourages faculty in the preparation of new courses that can be counted toward a Wittenberg degree. A new course is defined as a course that has never been taught at Wittenberg, or has not been taught for three years, and has not been taught by the applicant. Proposals may include requests of materials, books, registration fees and travel expenses for seminars, workshops, college or university courses in which the faculty member is enrolled. The Board will fund proposals for specific material and expenses to be used in independent study for new course preparation. Books, software, and similar materials are to be retained in the University if the faculty member leaves within 2 years of receiving the FDB Grant. The FDB in conjunction with department faculty member and the appropriate departmental chairperson will determine the most appropriate place to house the materials. Funds may not be used to purchase materials to be used in the classroom by students. Purchase of capital equipment will NOT be funded in total or in part. Proposals may not include replacement costs or released time. Because new faculty are assumed to bring expertise in the areas in which they were hired to teach, they are not eligible for new course grants for courses to be taught in their first year.
In the case of a new course proposal, the Board requires the following:
COURSE REVISION GRANTS
When a faculty member revises a Wittenberg course and money for professional materials is needed the FDB will review request for grants of funds up to $200. Associate Members are eligible for the full award of Course Revision Grants. The proposal to the Board must demonstrate that a significant revision is taking place. The deadlines for revisions are the same as those for new courses. Books, software and/or similar materials are to be retained in the University if the faculty member leaves within 2 years of receiving the FDB Grant. The Faculty Development Board in conjunction with the department faculty member and appropriate departmental chairperson will determine the most appropriate place to house the materials. Funds may not be used to purchase materials to be used in the classroom by students. Purchase of capital equipment will NOT be funded. Faculty in their first year many not apply for course revision grants unless they are revising a course they have already taught at Wittenberg. The funds must be spent and expense report filed with the FDB Office by the end of the first semester after the course is taught. This allows faculty to respond to course evaluations if funds remain. Final financial reporting should be completed as promptly as possible.
PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT GRANTS
The funds in this category are designated to encourage faculty members to depend and broaden competence in their chosen fields and relate this competence more effectively in the classroom. The money available is to be spent primarily to improve the professional development of individuals as well as the teaching-learning process at Wittenberg. The Board will accept proposals for new methods for reaching students with special needs; attendance at institutes, seminars or workshops; and active participation in professional conferences (delivering papers, serving as chairperson, discussant, or officer in an international, national, regional, or state organization, etc). FDB EXCLUDES FROM THE PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT CATEGORIES MERE ATTENDANCE AT PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES.
The Board has established the following priorities for Professional Enrichment Grants.
Individual faculty members may apply for support as often as they wish toward an annual maximum of $700. After an individuals' grants have reached a total of $700, subsequent grants in that year, if approved, can be funded if funds remain at year's end. Associate members may receive a PEG each year in proportion to their teaching responsibilities for that year up to the maximum of the individual grant award, or they may accumulate their available funds over several years. For example a half-time associate member may receive a maximum of $350 per year of $700 every other year.
GRANTS FOR REDIRECTION OF FACULTY
The funds available in this category are designated to retrain faculty members moving to another department or out of academe (only tenured faculty members will be considered for moving out of academe). It is also intended to assist tenured faculty who would like to leave the academic profession altogether. In a broader sense, redirection is designed to meet the needs of departments of the University at large which result from changing departmental student enrollment, retirement, or the high percentage of tenured faculty. The Board will seriously consider all proposals for redirection, but it will give priority to those which meet both a departmental or University need, as well as an individual's personal interest. It is for that reason that the guidelines include a statement to the effect that proposal for redirection must include the recommendations of the department chairperson(s), and the appropriate chief academic officer.
FACULTY GROWTH PROJECTS
A grant for a Faculty Growth Project enables tenured faculty members to significantly expand or update their educational training. The grant would be for clearly identified projects associated with an organized program of study, completion of terminal degrees, post-doctoral studies, internships, fellowships, and self-directed programs of study and field work. The project may occur during a leave of absence, sabbatical leave, or summer. The project should be consistent with the goals of the individual's department and the University. Please note that not all Faculty Growth grants will be accepted for funding. They will be judged on professional merit to the University. Applications are due at the end of 5th week of the spring semester of the academic year prior to the projected beginning date of the project. The Board allocates funds for up to 1 grant to be awarded up to $3,000. Grant expenditures must occur in the fiscal year of the project (1 July - 30 June).
FACULTY AIDES PROGRAM
This program selects students of any rank (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) who are on work grant programs to aid faculty in their daily University tasks and personal research or creative activity.
Purpose This program assists faculty through more effective use of work grant funds. The program frees faculty of some of the tasks that take time away from their teaching, creative and research activities and allows them more time to be better prepared and thought-provoking faculty.
The program does not, however, include the use of Faculty Aides for grading essay exams and term papers,
proctoring exams, and leading class discussions. Nor is secretarial work appropriate for an aide. The program
gives selected students an opportunity to learn some of the personal problems and activities related to their major
interest of study via close working association with a faculty professional and department in that major field.