MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Policy and Procedure Statement 3.1.15
Travel/Professional Development
 

I.  GENERAL INFORMATION

Personal and professional development of all MSU Library staff members is recognized as a joint concern of the libraries and of individuals, and is to be given high priority. Supervisors and staff members should identify courses, workshops, conferences and other opportunities for development. MSU Libraries are committed to encourage the process by offering release time and reimbursement as funds allow and supervisors permit.

Funds will be allocated from the Libraries budget and equitably distributed according to the schedule below until they are exhausted. University travel regulations are in force and are the basis for theses guidelines. The University's Guidelines can be found in the HANDBOOK OF TRAVEL REGULATIONS at . http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/COTravel/

II.  DEFINITIONS AND SUPPORT GUIDELINES

A. Administratively Directed Participation

Administratively directed participation, for which full funding and release time shall be provided, includes three broad categories of activity:

Designated Representative is defined as participation in meetings of professional and other organizations or travel to conduct official University Libraries business as an official representative of Michigan State University Libraries. Examples include, but are not limited to, representation of the University Libraries at major meetings, such as ARL, OCLC, or CIC; meetings with other library administrators, testifying at legislative hearings; or evaluating, inventorying, or preparation of collections donated to University Libraries.

Mandatory Training is defined as participation in skill development and improvement workshops, seminars, or academic coursework that will directly improve the quality of services offered by University Libraries or retraining activities to acquire skills needed to perform new or anticipated tasks and responsibilities. For inclusion in this category, the training must be mandatory.

Library Recruitment is the process of hiring new University Library employees. This includes expenses related to placement center duties and responsibilities at state and national conferences; the bringing of candidates to Michigan Sate University for interview; and other recruitment costs such as job postings.

B. Professional Development/Career Involvement

Staff development is participation in workshops, short courses, and other training not required for current job responsibilities, but of general benefit to the employee, MSU Libraries, and/or the profession.

Career involvement includes participation in national, regional, state or local library or library-related associations.

 These activities, if approved, will be supported with release time and reimbursement for registration and other expenses as funding permits according to the following guidelines:


LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR
LIBRARIANS:

I.    Librarian without continuous appointment

A.   $2,800 per year unless ranked in lowest tier after initial annual evaluation for merit. 20% of any additional costs.

B.   $500 per year if ranked in the lowest tier in second or subsequent annual evaluation for merit. 20% of any additional costs.

II    Librarian with continuous appointment

A.   $2,900 per year if ranked in Tier 1. 20% of any additional costs.

B.   $2,700 per year if ranked in Tier 2.  20% of any additional costs.

C.   $2,500 per year if ranked in Tier 3.  20% of any additional costs.

D.   $2,200 per year if ranked in Tier 4.  20% of any additional costs.

E.  20% of costs if ranked in the Tier 5.

III   Temporary Librarians

      Negotiated at the time of appointment.

Requests for exceptions due to unusual circumstances or for additional funding for special opportunities, such as overseas travel or specialized training, can be made through the appropriate administrative channels to the Director who will have the authority to provide additional support.

All travel and related expenditures must conform to University guidelines and regulations.  Room reimbursement will be limited to $175 per night.


LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR
SUPPORT STAFF

Expenses Incurred

% of Reimbursement

0 - $200

85%

$201 --- $400

80%

$401 --- $600

70%

$601 --- $800

55%

$801 --- $1000

35%

$1000 ---

15%

Example:

Staff member A goes to an approved conference and incurs $400 of expenses. The reimbursement, assuming that funds are available, would be $170 (85% of $200) plus $160 (80% of the next $200), for a total of $330.

If staff member A attends another approved conference in the same year and incurs another $300 of expenses, they would be reimbursed $140 (70% of the next $200) plus $55 (55% of the next $100, for a total of $195.)

III.       ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

The University's Guidelines can be found in the HANDBOOK OF TRAVEL REGULATIONS at http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/COTravel/

  • ALL REIMBURSEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO FUND AVAILABILITY. Should sufficient funding NOT be available, the percentages of support will be lowered until all approved participation can be accommodated.
  • Supervisors have the option of supporting "release time only" for participation in activities.
  • For meetings such as ALA, there is an expectation that staff members requesting support will demonstrate "active participation" by the end of the second year. Examples of active participation include, but are not limited to, service as an officer, a committee member, discussion leader, invited participant or other indications of significant involvement, failure to become actively involved may result in denial of future support.
  • Requesting staff and supervisors should always review employee benefit opportunities prior to seeking library support.
  • MSU utilizes GE MasterCard to provide corporate card travel services to University travelers. Faculty, Administrative Professionals and Clerical Technical who are expected to travel at least once per year on behalf of the University are eligible to apply for a Corporate Card.  Applications are available on the University Travel Office website: http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/COTravel/
  • ALL participants in staff development/career involvement activities are REQUIRED to submit a summary/report on information acquired during participation to share with other staff members. Failure to produce such a report may result in denial of future requests.


 IV.       PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR TRAVEL

  • The completed online Professional Development Form should be submitted well in advance of the scheduled activity. If a registration fee is required, the completed registration form should be forwarded to the Library Director’s Office.    Do not pay the registration fee at this time.    The supervisor and AD will review the requests for consistency of expenses and establish levels of support as required.   For example, the Library would not support reimbursement of excessive hotel accommodations, first class air transportation, etc.    Note:  All travel and related expenditures must conform to University guidelines and regulations.  Room reimbursement will be limited to $175 per night.
  • To facilitate cooperative transportation and accommodations, efforts will be undertaken to inform individuals of other staff members attending the same event.
  • The Director will allocate a funding level and assign an account.   The registration fee will then be paid according to University policy,   http://ctlr.msu.edu/COTravel/Reg_Conf_Fees.aspx.   If additional payments are to be made along with the fee, the Director’s Office staff will contact the employee to make arrangements for payment.   Confirmation of the registration fee payment will be indicated on the Travel Authorization.
  • The Director's Secretary will arrange for a University car (when approved), complete the University Travel Authorization, and forward the Voucher with proper signature to the employee.
  • The signed Travel Reimbursement form must be returned to the Director's Secretary with appropriate receipts and traveler's signature as soon as possible after the employee’s return.
  • The Director's Secretary will verify the receipts and submit the form for reimbursement.


V.         LOCAL TRAVEL

A record of personal car use for University business will be maintained in the Main Office as an authorization form for recording of local trips and should be completed before departure. This is an official record which may be used for verification of insurance and workers compensation coverage.

According to the MSU Benefits Office, Travel Office and Risk Management Office, when traveling on authorized university business (whether it is a short trip downtown or travel to another city or state) the following benefits apply:

Workers’ Compensation covers health benefits if you are injured during authorized travel status, the same as if you were injured while in the building.

The Benefit’s office Travel Accident Plan represents the death and dismemberment insurance.   See the Benefits website for further information.

Personal Car Use:  In the case of a car accident while on authorized university business, your personal car insurance will cover damage to your car based on the level of insurance you have on the vehicle.  Periodic travel is considered to be incidental and therefore does not require a “Business Use” rider on your personal car insurance policy.

In the case of liability resulting from a car accident – your personal car insurance is primary and the University will pick up the excess.


Revised 10-08