Are you thinking about earning more college credits or an advanced degree?  Did you know when you are complete, you may be eligible for a salary increase?  For further information please, review policies 6Hx28: 3C-04.3.1: Pay of Instructional Personnel Receiving Advanced College Credit and 6Hx28: 3C-04.3.2: Pay of Professional and Administrative Personnel Receiving Advanced College Credit.  They can be found in our Policy Manual on our Valencia Faculty & Staff webpage under Employee Resources or contact Cali Evans in Human Resources at ext 8052 for information to be sent to you. 

Who is eligible?  Full-time instructional employees and full-time professional or administrative employees who earn advanced college credit or an advanced degree from an accredited institution may be eligible for an increase in salary.  Other employee categories are not currently eligible for this salary increase.

What are the qualifications?  Please review the qualifying criteria outlined in the policies, because some degree categories or courses must specifically relate to the employee's job, administration/management, education, or a specific teaching discipline, and be appropriate to the community college level.  The president or his designee may approve a degree or course of study not specifically identified in the policies. 
 
How does the process begin?  Prior to beginning a course of study the employee completes HR Form #60 (Proposed Course of Study for Advanced College Credit or Degree) identifying the degree program, specific courses they will take, and the institution.  The employee submits the form to their dean or supervisor who will evaluate the degree program or courses and make a recommendation to their provost or vice president.  The dean or supervisor will also verify that the institution is regionally accredited in accord with our SACS guidelines.  The provost or vice president will review the recommendation and advise the dean or supervisor and employee in writing as to the acceptability of the proposed course of study.  If the request is denied, the employee may appeal the decision to the president, whose decision will be final. 

What happens when the degree or advanced credit is earned?  The employee is responsible for submitting proof of completing the degree or advanced college credit to their dean/supervisor and human resources. Official transcripts or a letter from the registrar bearing the seal of the institution provide acceptable proof or evidence. The Human Resources department will review the item(s) submitted and determine if the employee has met the criteria specified in the applicable policy.  If all criteria is met, the dean or supervisor will sign and forward form HR #25 (Human Resources Action Form for Full-time Employees) to their provost or vice president, along with the evidence provided by the employee.  If approved by the provost or vice president, the HR #25 and attached documents are then forwarded to Human Resources.  If not approved, the employee may appeal the decision to the president, whose decision will be final.  (Note: If the employee is paid from a grant, the dean/supervisor will need to confirm that the grant can accommodate the salary increase.)

When does the salary increase become effective?  If the employee submits proof within 90 days of earning an advanced degree or advanced college credit and receives approval, the change in salary will be made effective the first day of the pay period immediately following the date the degree or college credit was earned.  If the employee submits the proof and receives approval after 90 days, the change will be made effective the first day of the pay period following the date the proof is received.   
  
For further information regarding this subject, please contact Cali Evans in Human Resources at ext 8052.

                                                                                                                        HR Notes #96
August 2009