| Reviewer's Comments |
Although it appears that the faculty engages in numerous local, state, regional, and national professional development opportunities, evidence to support the findings were not available for the Off-Site Committee to review. The Off-Site Committee encourages the On-Site Committee follow-up on the institution's assertion that faculty engage in professional development as teachers, scholars, and practitioners. |
| Response |
Bossier Parish Community College stated its compliance with the Comprehensive Standard 3.7.3 because College faculty actively participate in professional development activities as teachers, scholars, and practitioners.
Bossier Parish Community College is committed to professional development for its employees. Objective IV.1 of the College's recently updated Strategies for Success Plan (2008-2013) states " Provide resources for professional development activities for employees."
Bossier Parish Community College faculty development is coordinated through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with assistance from the academic division chairs. Faculty are encouraged and guided in development opportunities for professional growth and are encouraged and required to seek out professional development opportunities in their respective academic fields.
Professional development of faculty includes the following:
- each individual faculty member pursues development activities esoteric to his or her academic field and professional interest;
- professional development in the areas of teaching and learning via attendance on campus, meetings of professional organizations, and meetings of learned societies; The College has a generous policy for faculty leaves of absence at full pay with all expenses reimbursed for attendance at professional meetings. BPCC faculty participate in local, state, and national professional organizations that focus on the development of faculty as teachers and scholars by attending conventions of the organizations;
- every faculty member establishes and meets annual professional growth objectives, (Form F - Annual Faculty Evaluation which are evaluated by the supervisor;
- the College sponsors workshops and sessions on a variety of topics;
- the college provides instructional and technical support for distance learning;
- the college sabbatical leave policy allows faculty to pursue additional graduate coursework or advanced degrees at seventy-five percent of salary;
- faculty orientation - new faculty are required to attend seminars at the beginning of the fall semester which acquaint them with the various academic procedures; in addition, Human Resources orients new faculty at the time of their initial employment;
- mentoring program - new faculty are paired with veteran faculty for the first semester employment at Bossier Parish Community College.
The Professional Development portion of the College's Annual Report was redesigned to more thoroughly show the activities of the faculty. The Annual Report is not yet ready for publication but a Professional Development Report for faculty has been created using information submitted by the Academic divisions for the Annual Report. This information is reported in the College's Annual Report and in the individual faculty's end-of-year evaluation.
The Grants and External Funding Office has provided a grant list 2006-2007 and a grant list 2005-2006 to document that the faculty is actively engaged in professional development as teachers, scholars, and practitioners. The funded grant proposals enable the faculty to pursue new endeavors in the classroom which enhance both teaching and learning. The Grants Office has also submitted a Professional Development Log for FY2006-2007 and FY2005-2006 which details Professional Development funded by grants by Traveler/Attendee, Dates, Destination, Name of Conference/Workshop, Actual Cost, and Funding Source. The log also delineates ON-CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES showing Presenter, Dates, Subject, Costs, Funding Source. Attachment 1, Attachment 2, Attachment 3, Attachment 4, Attachment 5, Attachment 6, and Attachment 7 are sign-in sheets for faculty development programs which were held on the Bossier Parish Community College campus.
Additionally, faculty prepare grant proposals for Student Technology Fee money and use those funds to enhance classroom instruction. The Office of Student Services has provided lists of grants for Spring 2005, Fall 2005, Spring 2006, Fall 2006, and Spring 2007.
The Educational Technology Division offers many professional development opportunities as shown by the Professional Development 2003-2007 log.
Bossier Parish Community College is in compliance with Comprehensive Standard 3.7.3 because the faculty of the College attend conferences and meetings, make presentations, and seek grant funding to enhance learning.
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