Fall In-Service Days for Faculty Professional Development

As a teaching college, BSC endorses a tradition of campus development activities focusing on the art of teaching. In addition, concurrent sessions dealing with technology, teaching tips, and educational issues are held. Speakers with educational expertise are hired.

Fall In-Service Day typically has meetings for Faculty Senate Districts, departments, and academic assessment groups.

Workshops and training for professional development occur the week before classes begin in the fall. All full-time faculty are required to attend, and adjunct faculty are invited to attend. The Dean of Faculty sends an announcement telling of specific events in advance.

May Days for Faculty Professional Development

Beginning May of 2007, there will be two days of professional development following graduation. All full-time faculty are required to attend, and adjunct faculty are invited to attend. The Dean of Faculty sends an announcement telling of specific events in advance.

Full-time Faculty Training Before Classes Start in Fall - NEW!

One or two days of meetings and orientations are now required for new faculty during the week before classes begin in the fall. They are introduced to college officers, their mentors, and they meet with Human Resources personnel, and the Dean of Faculty.

Adjunct Faculty Fall In-Service - NIGHT

Usually slated during an evening before classes start in the fall, this event is used to acquaint faculty with BSC. Standard syllabus format, class community, and tips on good teaching are a part of this night. The BSC services available to the adjunct faculty and to students are usually part of the night's discussion. A stipend has been paid in the past. The Dean of Faculty sends invitations to this event.

Librarians offer training for library skills for both faculty and students

The BSC Library has many offerings and services that demand special skills. The librarians will give individual training to faculty, new or old, regardless of skill level. Call Johanna McClay to talk about your individual training needs at 224-5738.

The library also offers students training which can be specially tailored for your classes. Have a specific task in mind? Johanna will make a special plan for this class.

The BSC Library offers training via regular professional development venues as changes dictate.

Monthly BSC Faculty Workshops-For new faculty, but anyone may attend.

In the past few years, new faculty met monthly for teaching training. Presenters come from on and off campus and cover a range of topics. Notices are sent via email throughout the year.

Computer trainer coordinator teaches many computer use workshops throughout the year

Deb Mantz teaches computer applications for businesses in the BSC service region and for BSC employees. She has an annual schedule of sessions designed for BSC employees' specific needs, and she alerts us before and during the year to take advantage of these. Deb also provides professional development for faculty during Fall In-Service Days and May Days.

To contact Deb, call 224-5665.

Employee Tuition Waiver

All full-time faculty of Bismarck State College shall be eligible for waiver of tuition and the College's service/facility fee. The waiver is limited to no more than three academic classes per calendar year. Materials, class fees, NDSA and Connect ND fees, textbooks, etc. are not waived and must be paid for by the participating employee. Approval shall be granted as long as it does not interfere with the essential work of the institution. Contact your department chair for more details. Go to http://www.bismarckstate.edu/hr/genpol/continuingedtuitionwaiver.pdf for more information.

Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs

Programs for new Career and Technical Education professionals are provided for instructors moving from business and industry into education. The purpose is for teaching and for meeting certification requirements of the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Department. For more info, go to http://www.bismarckstate.edu/hr/facpol/CTECertification.pdf.

Online Course for Online Faculty

"EDU101B Teaching Online" is an online, self-paced class that takes about 5 weeks, covering strategies such as building community, assessment, interaction of students, and teacher responsibilities. This course is required of faculty teaching online. Contact your department chair for more information and Director of Distance Education Lane Huber at 224-5714.

Online Course Audit
How To Be Reviewed by a Curriculum Professional for Improvements

An instructional design team at eCollege can review your online course for best practices when it comes to online pedagogy. This does not regard content of your course, but the online strategies of teaching. If you would like this review of your course, contact your department chair for more information and/or Director of Distance Education Lane Huber at 224-5714.

Travel Monies

Department chairs meet to discuss the general travel budget of faculty and set priorities based upon need. Faculty wanting to travel should confer with their chairs. Monies for travel can also be obtained via other groups on campus such as Learning Teams, North Dakota Community College Consortium (see Off Campus Opportunities), the BSC Foundation, or the Faculty Development Committee.

BSC Foundation Grants

From the grant literature: "The BSC Foundation grants program supports projects that are designed to improve, advance, and enrich student learning. It broadens academic life for faculty, students, and staff and allows the college community to solve problems, promote worthwhile activities, and reach for unique opportunities.

• encourage the development of research, innovative teaching, or the extension of college services with priority given to projects that seem beyond the scope of other funding sources.
• defray the cost of guest lecturers, resource personnel, and consultants.
• rent or purchase special teaching equipment or materials.
• support programs that encourage community involvement with BSC.
• support efforts which will inform potential students and others about the College.
• support student projects that involve a student beyond the parameters of the course assignments.
• support student participation in campus organizations and activities.
• support visual and performing arts on campus for the benefit of the students, staff, and community.

BSC Professional Development Grants

These are awarded twice a year, fall and spring. Professional development awards may be used for such items including, but not limited to, the following:

• Conference attendance including travel and housing reimbursement for conferences such as professional or creative workshops.
• Tuition and fees for educational coursework not covered by BSC employee tuition waivers.
• Purchase of software or books required for a conference or training seminar.

You may apply for the Professional Development Grants as well as BSC Foundation grants, but please do not apply for the same request on both programs. An applicant may receive no more than one Professional Development grant per academic year. Maximum grant amount is $2,000 per applicant/application.

Applications for both programs are available on the "G" Drive under G:\GROUP\STAFF\BSC Foundation grant application. You may open the Word document in the forms folder, save it to your own drive and then type your responses on the form. All applications submitted for review must be typed. You will need to print out the forms for signatures before submitting it to the BSC Foundation office.

Grant Writing Assistance

The BSC Foundation Resource Development staff will assist faculty in writing a grant seeking external dollars. For more information, go to http://www.bismarckstate.edu/resource/.