Full-time Faculty Members:
Alternative Methods provides overload pay or release time for completion of a program of professional improvement. Projects completed for overload pay will be paid in one lump sum after the evidence of completion is reviewed and approved by the IPD Chair.
2026-27 FUNDING MODEL
To better support faculty professional growth, the IPD has increased funding for Conferences, Professional Development Classes, and Alternative Methods projects this academic year. These enhancements reflect the IPD's commitment to expanding access to professional development opportunities while thoughtfully managing available resources in response to rising travel costs and projected budget considerations.
Faculty are encouraged to take advantage of these increased funding opportunities and apply for the professional development option that best supports their goals.
FUNDING AMOUNT:
- $3,000 = The primary Annual Funding Allowance for eligible faculty members per academic year. This is a $500 increase from last year. Academic year = July 1 through June 30
- $500 Presenter Funding - Faculty who present at a conference are eligible to receive an additional $500 in funding once per academic year. This represents a $400 increase from last year, providing even greater support for faculty who share their expertise through conference presentations.
FUNDING OPTIONS: Faculty may now use their $3,000 in only one of the following ways per academic year. You may not combine both options.
Choose ONE option only:
OPTION 1 - CONFERENCE, WORKSHOP, OR CLASS
Submit a Conference Attendance Request (CAR) for up to $3,000 toward a conference, workshop, or professional development class. Faculty who present at a conference may also qualify for an additional $500 in presenter funding.
If your initial conference or class does not use the full $3,000 annual allocation, you may submit additional CARs throughout the academic year until your funding limit is reached, subject to available IPD funds.
List of recommended discipline and general teaching conferences
OPTION 2 - ALTERNATIVE METHODS PROJECT OR CLASS
Submit an Alternative Methods application to complete a professional improvement project or class that earns an annual maximum of up to (27) hours of work.
The Alternative Methods funding is designed to provide a benefit equivalent to the $3,500 available to faculty who select the conference funding option. Because Alternative Methods compensation is processed through payroll, the total amount charged to the IPD budget includes both the faculty overload pay (27 hours = approximately $2,916) and the associated payroll-related costs (approximately $500 in medical, work comp, STR, etc.), resulting in a total expenditure comparable to the conference funding allocation.
Alternative Methods Handbook: Includes a list of recommended projects/classes to help get you started.
IMPORTANT FOR PAYMENT: Upon completion of the project, the applicant is required to submit evidence of completion documentation and a time log to the IPD Office:
- Fall projects - due by the first Friday in December.
- Spring projects - due by the first Friday in May.
Late submission may delay pay due to District fiscal timelines. Time log must include dates, description of activity, hours and the total hours dedicated to the project.
IPD Chair will review your documentation and when approved, the IPD Office will notify college personnel to release payment.
