Staff Senate

Appropriate Uses of this Grant

Here are some examples of opportunities funded in the past:

• Conferences, workshops, and seminars, both on and off-campus, including registration fees and travel expenses
• Membership to professional organizations related to a staff member’s current position
• Funding for special projects, such as research and publication, related to a staff member’s current position (e.g., conducting research or lab work specific to position)
• Webinars
• Certification exams that would enhance a staff member’s employment
• Registration fees that include a workbook
• Departments may apply for the funds, given the purpose will be professional development. The preference would be for events that would benefit the entire department. This could include honoraria for speakers, materials such as books, or registration for webinars, among other things.

Other professional development opportunities will be reviewed.

Award Size

Awards range in size, with the maximum amount per award set at $1,000, with typical awards of $250-500.

Awards cannot be provided if the event has taken place and expenses have already been paid.

This funding is meant to complement departmental funding. All applicants must ask their respective departments for funds, but are not required to secure them to be considered for Staff Senate reimbursement.

Eligibility Requirements

All staff represented by Staff Senate can apply to receive funding for professional development. This includes individuals appointed to regular positions, both full-time and part-time. Status is determined at the time of the submitted application.

• Employees must have been employed by GFCMSU for at least 6 months in a staff capacity by the time of application.
• Individuals with temporary appointments, as well as those on leave during the time of travel, are not eligible.
• Preference will be given to first-time applicants, as well as applicants with no other funding sources.
• An applicant can only be awarded funds once per fiscal year. Upon award, a recipient is ineligible for another award until the next fiscal year.

Application Requirements

A completed application includes:

• Supporting documents (e.g., conference brochure, timeline of travel, information on registration fees, airfare, hotel rates, shuttle/taxi service, parking, meals, etc.).
• Statement of support from supervisor confirming the opportunity is supported. The statement does not need to be lengthy; it can be one or two sentences (sent directly from supervisor via email to [email protected]).

• Staff Senate Grant Application