Approved by Dean Forte 3/19/2025

Effective Date:  July 1, 2025

UMSI Staff Professional Development Policy

This policy applies to the following people/groups: All regular, non-temporary staff with an 80% or greater appointment. 

I.  Overview/Rationale

The School of Information (UMSI) embraces the University’s (U-M) philosophy for staff development and is committed to supporting and providing opportunities for staff to develop their talents and acquire and use new skills, thereby allowing them to maximize their contributions to the UMSI and U-M and achieve personal career satisfaction. As a demonstration of this commitment, in addition to supporting the U-M tuition benefit program and encouraging staff to partake in professional development offered by U-M at no charge, UMSI offers each regular, non-temporary staff member with an 80% or greater appointment up to $2,500 annually towards approved professional development activities.

II. Principles

The following principles ground UMSI’s policy and practices for staff professional development:

1. 1. 1. Professional development and mentorship is an essential part of staff roles: Professional development and mentorship is an essential part of each employee’s role and work at UMSI. Each staff member’s position includes a 5% effort to accommodate activities like professional development, service, and mentorship activities.

      2. Information about professional development and mentorship is shared regularly: Information about professional development resources will be shared by UMSI Human Resources as staff join UMSI and through regular communications from the Assistant Dean for Professional Development and Mentorship, staff supervisors, and unit directors.

      3. Staff are empowered to participate in professional development and mentorship:  Staff are encouraged to explore and plan how they can best leverage professional development and mentorship opportunities to optimize their performance and growth.

      4. Financial stewardship is practiced with professional development funds: Staff are encouraged to evaluate and use available free professional development opportunities and request UMSI funding for those activities that best meet their needs.

      5. Transparency and accountability inform administration of the policy/practices: UMSI leaders will ensure this policy and related practices are implemented consistently and fairly and will seek staff input on potential changes. UMSI Human Resources will communicate any policy changes to all UMSI staff including rationale and timing. The amount of professional development support will be reviewed every 3 years and may remain the same, or may be reduced (based on availability of school funds) or increased (considering increased cost of professional development activities).
         
         

III.  Policy/Regulations

Types of Support - UMSI supports professional development for staff, including but not limited to the following:

1. Tuition Support: UMSI supports U-M’s tuition support program, described in SPG 201.69 by providing advances and reimbursements to staff who meet the requirements of the U-M policy, subject to approval and barring limits on available funding, per the policy. Refer to the SPG for details about the U-M tuition support program including approval criteria and funding source for U-M Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint courses and for non U-M courses.  Should a mixture of both U-M Ann Arbor and non-U-M courses be taken, the limit on tuition support will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

2. Professional Development Activities: Each staff member (80% FTE or greater) is alloted $2,500 / year for professional development related activities that support learning related to their current role and/or future growth. Approved professional development and training fees are paid by UMSI general funds. For staff who are faculty-hired and/or paid with sponsored grants or discretionary funds, the expectation is that the faculty member will carry the costs of professional development as long as sufficient funds are available and the faculty member approves.

Below is a list of professional development activities that can be funded with this allocation, subject to Unit Director approval: 

• Workshops/Training:  Staff may request funding for workshops or training with cost associated. Note: UMSI encourages staff to seek and participate in the many freely available workshops and training to enhance their skills and knowledge, such as workshops offered by U-M Learning and Professional Development, workshops hosted by UMSI, online training through MILinc or Lynda.com, or externally provided webinars, workshops, and training.
   

NOTE: Required training based on role or job responsibilities is covered by UMSI general funds, outside of the staff professional development funds and is characterized by the fact that it is assigned by the unit director; funding should be requested by the unit director and sent to finance along with securing approval by the Chief Administrative Officer. 

• Professional Memberships:  Staff may request funding for one professional membership per year.  

• Professional Conferences:  Staff may use these funds for professional conferences, including registration, hotel, per diem and travel expenses.  

NOTE:  For staff members who are selected to present at a conference and for conference attendance assigned or required based on a staff member’s role or responsibilities, costs are covered by UMSI general funds, rather than counting towards the $2,500 allocated for each staff member.

• Certified Coaching: Distinct from mentorship, which focuses on sharing one’s experience and expertise to aid learning and growth, coaching provides a one-on-one, guided approach to professional development. Staff may want to first consider certified coaches already approved by U-M Procurement. 

Responsibilities - The following responsibilities are expected by UMSI:

1. Supervisors are expected to encourage and support the professional development for their staff members by:

a. Discussing potential opportunities with them and assisting with developing annual professional development goals and plans.

b. Allowing reasonable time for professional development activities.

c. Providing funding support according to this policy if sufficient funds are available.

2. Staff are expected to participate in their own professional development by:

a. Identifying and discussing potential opportunities/activities with their supervisor.

b. Documenting professional development activities for the annual evaluation and goal-setting process.

IV.  Applicability/Eligibility

All regular, non-temporary staff with an 80% or greater appointment are eligible to request professional development as stated in this policy.

V.  Procedures

If a staff person is interested in any of the above experiences, they should discuss the desired activity with their supervisor and receive approval from their unit director. 

VI.  Other Relevant Policies/Procedures (references/links to other related UMSI or U-M policies or procedures)

• U-M Policy on Career and Professional Development Programs (SPG 201.60): http://spg.umich.edu/policy/201.60 

• U-M Tuition Support Policy (SPG 201.69):  http://spg.umich.edu/policy/201.69 

• U-M Staff Development Philosophy:  https://hr.umich.edu/about-uhr/staff-development-philosophy

Responsible officer: Chief Administrative Officer and Assistant Dean for Professional Development & Mentorship

Responsible department or title of contact person: UMSI Human Resources (umsi.human.resources@umich.edu)