Professional Development/Retraining

Not later than December 1st of each year, the College will call for Guild members
to submit proposals describing a specific course of study or program of professional development/retraining designed to provide the Guild member with updated knowledge or skills in any emerging area of the Guild member's discipline or administrative responsibility.

It will be the responsibility of the Guild member to describe the advance(s) in the field which make the retraining/development beneficial and the use the Guild member will make of it in the college context.

A Guild member who wishes to participate in the retraining/development program may apply for tuition assistance. Ten (10) month Guild members may ask for release time not to exceed a total of twenty-four (24) credit hours during a maximum of four (4) years. Twelve (12) month Guild members may use professional enrichment days. Guild members granted tuition assistance under this program shall be reimbursed for the cost of tuition and related fees (less reimbursement through the SUNY and/or other tuition assistance or scholarship program) necessary to achieve minimum qualifications, up to $150 per credit and 75% tuition above the amount, and up to $250 per course for books. A Guild member receiving release time under provision shall not be eligible for day overload assignment.

An application for assistance under this program, which shall include a statement of the courses to be pursued, shall be submitted in writing to a joint advisory committee, composed of Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Management and Planning, Vice President of Student Affairs, President of the Guild, Chair of the Guild Professional Development Committee, and another member of the Guild Executive Board named by the President of the Guild of Administrative Officers, not later than the March 1st prior to the academic period in which the course(s) will be pursued. The joint committee will meet, make its determinations, and notify the applicants by May 30 of each academic year.

A Guild member shall fulfill qualifications or satisfactorily complete the retraining/development work not later than forty-eight (48) months* after the assistance commences and shall thereafter continue in the employ of the College for the next four (4) academic semesters unless otherwise notified by the College. A Guild member granted such tuition assistance who fails to obtain the minimum qualifications or satisfactorily complete the retraining/development work or does not continue in the employ of the College for the requisite four (4) semesters, shall be required to reimburse Suffolk County for all monies paid under this provision to the Guild member.

* (Barring any unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the Guild member).