06:13:00 Changes in Degree Status

Purpose

Recognize and reward employees of the institution for enhancing their skills by furthering their education.

Policy

An employee will be rewarded for enhancing his/her work skills via a salary adjustment. The following increases will be administered depending upon availability of funding. The amount of the salary increase for faculty members who attain a higher degree will be based upon the corresponding amount on the current faculty salary guide. The table below shows the percentage salary increase to be given for non-faculty staff:

In order to be considered for the appropriate salary adjustment relative to educational attainment, an “Employee Update/Status Change” form must be completed. The type of degree or certificate, the awarding institution and the date it was obtained must be submitted with appropriate documentation. An official copy of the transcript must be sent directly to the Human Resources Department. No copies marked “Issued to Student” will be accepted. When credit is requested for courses which were taken in excess of degree requirements, documentation must be provided by the awarding institution defining the courses comprising the degree. For the “ABD” level, a letter of certification from the appointed advisory board is necessary.

“Employee Update/Status Change” forms can be obtained in the Human Resource Department or online on the Human Resources website. Special Note: This form, as well as budgetary planning, must be processed to assure proper degree recognition for salary budgeting and record keeping requirements. If the official transcript is not immediately available, the employee may have the degree-granting institution submit a letter on that institution’s letterhead stating that all requirements for the degree have been met, in order to qualify for the salary increase. However, when the official transcript becomes available, it must be sent to the Human Resources department for inclusion in the employee’s personnel file. Academic year faculty members and modified fiscal year staff members who become eligible for a salary increase due to a degree change in May, June, July, or August will receive the salary increase beginning in September when their new contract begins.

The college will adhere to the same transcript evaluation guidelines for employees that are used for students. Upon receiving the employee update/status change form and transcripts, the Office of Human Resources will confirm the school’s accreditation status. Degrees received from an institution that is granted accreditation by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education will be recognized for the appropriate salary increase. Degrees received from a non-accredited institution, will be reviewed further with assistance from the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Degrees received from “diploma mills”, (a “diploma mill” is an institution of higher education operating without supervision of a state or professional accrediting agency and granting diplomas which are either fraudulent or because of the lack of proper standards worthless,) will not be recognized. 3/98; 3/06; 8/07; 10/13; 05/16