SECTION:  HUMAN RESOURCES INDEX: C-18

SUBJECT:   EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

POLICY

The University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) is committed to fostering an environment that encourages individuals to seek opportunities for professional growth and enrichment and encourages supervisors, managers, and employees to identify educational, training, and development opportunities that will improve job performance and develop employee potential in current or prospective positions.

This policy establishes processes for implementation of training and development programs, including the College Release Program, in accordance with the State Employees Training Act (SETA), Texas Government Code, Chapter 656 and UH System Administrative Memorandum 02.A.26.

No person shall be discriminated against in opportunities for training and development on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

PROCEDURE

The State Employees Training Act allows the University to use public funds for development programs related to current or prospective duty assignments.  Funds may be extended from department accounts for employees to participate in development programs upon supervisor and department approval.  Appropriate expenses may include salary, registration fees, travel expenses, and training materials.  Any reimbursement for travel expenses associated with seminars, workshops, or similar training events must comply with all applicable travel policies, rules, and statutory provisions.

Goals

The goal of training and development is to improve UHV by providing employees with opportunities to gain:

• knowledge about higher education and an understanding of the institution's goals and how each part of the organization affects and is affected by these goals
• an appreciation for academic values, concerns, and needs
• opportunities for understanding goals and problems of other areas of the University of Houston System
• training in technical, general and leadership skills
• information about skills and knowledge needed for the future
• quality customer service skills as necessary to improve internal services and support student recruitment and retention initiatives

Eligibility

All regular benefits-eligible employees are eligible, with their supervisor's approval, to attend training workshops applicable to their personal or professional development.  For the purposes of this policy, a regular benefits-eligible employee is defined as one who is employed for at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis for a period of at least 4 1/2 continuous months, excluding students employed in positions which require student status as a condition of employment.   

Other employees may participate in training and development courses, subject to their supervisor's approval, to any eligibility restrictions that may be applied to individual courses or programs, and to availability of funds (when costs are involved).

To be eligible to participate in the College Release Program, an employee must meet university admission requirements and must be a full-time UHV employee.

Supervisors may require attendance at certain training programs as part of the employee’s assignment.

Other requirements may be placed on training programs by the sponsors of the programs.

Normally training and development programs are offered during an employee’s regularly scheduled work hours.  Employees are encouraged to take courses during times that accommodate the department work schedule.  To the extent that it is possible and practical, supervisors and managers are encouraged to allow their employees to participate in training and development programs.  Employees who attend training and development programs with their supervisor’s approval are not required to make up time spent in these programs.

In-House Training Programs

Several UHV departments offer training programs on an on-going basis, including Human Resources/Affirmative Action, Information Technology, and Business Services.      

Departments may request training that is specific to the department. 

All employees may participate in training and development opportunities offered by UHV subject to their supervisor’s approval.

College Release Program

This program provides full-time, benefits eligible employees an opportunity to be granted up to three hours per week of release time from normal duties to take courses toward a degree plan at an institution of higher education.  Classroom time and travel to and from class may not exceed three hours.

The employee is required to go through the regular admission processes and meet relevant admission requirements of the institution.

Prior to registering for a class that meets during work hours, an employee must obtain written approvals from the immediate supervisor and  from the cabinet-level supervisor (see Attachment A, College Release Program Approval Form) . Employees are encouraged to take classes at times that accommodate the departmental work schedule. The classroom time required to complete the course will not be charged against vacation or sick leave, nor will salary deductions be made. These hours shall be reported as release time, not as time on the bi-weekly time and effort report and monthly timesheet.  The employee is obligated to job responsibilities when the class is not in session.

Time away from regular duties shall not be granted for study time.

Supervisors are encouraged to make a good faith effort to accommodate requests for participation.  Disapproval of a request will be so noted on the application form, together with the reason for the disapproval.

The costs of tuition, fees, and books are the responsibility of the employee.

Outside Training Opportunities

Employees and departments are responsible for identifying training opportunities outside of UHV that will enhance the employee’s job performance.  Reimbursement for any expenses for outside training is subject to availability of funding in the department.

Scholarships

Benefits-eligible employees may qualify for scholarships toward tuition and fee expenses in connection with courses taken at UHV.  Interested employees should request information and appropriate forms from Financial Aid.  Approval of applications will be on a first-come basis and is subject to the availability of funds.

Guidelines for Staff Enrolled as UHV Students

Since the University Houston-Victoria (UHV) is a public institution providing instruction in higher education, UHV allows its employee and other UH System employees to enroll in UHV courses.

• To ensure that all students including UHV and UH System employees receive the same level of access and treatment, we expect those employees who enroll in classes offered by UHV to abide by the following guidelines:
• Employees will not use their positions at the University to try to gain faculty/student privileged information.
• Employees realize that when they are enrolled in a University course, their rights and responsibilities become no different from other students.
• Employees will respect the authority of faculty and not use the employee's position within the university to gain preferential treatment.
• Employees with WebCT administrative access agree not to use their administrative privileges to access any online courses within their degree program.  A signed, written agreement will reside in Instructional Support Services.

Approved by:

Signature obtained                   05/23/05
Dr. Tim Hudson                       Date  
President

Originating department: Human Resources
Next review date:   May 2007