XI. Professional Development Resources

Summary of Resources for Faculty; Guidelines for Professional Development Funds; Sabbatic Leaves; Center for the Advancement of Research and Teaching (CART); Teaching and Technology Center; Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects (OGSP); Institutional Review Board (IRB); Faculty Awards

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Summary of Resources for Faculty

Through a combination of outlets, resources are available for faculty for a variety of professional development purposes. A list and description of these resources at BSC are given at http://www.bridgew.edu/Depts/AcAffairs/professional_development.cfm.

Guidelines for Professional Development Funds

In accordance with the MSCA Program of Professional Development, all full-time faculty and librarians may apply for funding for professional development activities. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these funds. Guidelines for the application and use of these funds are at http://www.bridgew.edu/Depts/AcAffairs/guidelines.cfm.

Sabbatic Leaves

Article 15 of the MSCA Contract specifies the conditions for eligibility and the process of applying for sabbatic leaves. The application form for sabbatic leaves is on the Academic Affairs website.

Center for the Advancement of Research and Teaching (CART)

CART (Moakley Center, Room 219, ext. 1767) advances and promotes the teaching and scholarly activities of Bridgewater State College faculty and librarians through professional development seminars and internal grants for research and travel. The CART Research Fellow works to support faculty in the development of their research ideas. You are encouraged to take advantage of CART's services. Announcements of seminars, presentations, and special events sponsored by CART are distributed through e-mail. See http://www.bridgew.edu/Depts/CART.

Teaching and Technology Center

The Teaching and Technology Center (TTC) is on the second floor of the Moakley Center and provides faculty with resources and services for integrating information and instructional technology to support and enhance the college's teaching and learning mission. Training, support, and production services are available to assist faculty with classroom technology, web-based instruction, and various teaching and research projects. The TTC promotes activities and support for effective use of instructional technology in teaching. The TTC website is at http://it.bridgew.edu/FacStaff/ttcmission/.

Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects (OGSP)

The Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects assists the faculty and staff of the college to seek external funding for research, professional development, academic programs, curriculum development activities, and community service projects. See OGSP website at http://www.bridgew.edu/SponProj/.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The IRB enforces a policy that serves both to protect subjects' rights and to assure that researchers are appropriately protected from situations that might arise in which real or perceived harm is caused to participants. Research involving human subjects should be submitted for IRB review, depending on the nature of the work. The policy, guidelines, contact persons, and forms for protocol submission can be found on the IRB website at http://www.bridgew.edu/SponProj/human_subj.cfm.

Faculty Awards

Academic Affairs administers three faculty research awards: the BSC Lifetime Faculty Research Award, the Class of 1950 Distinguished Faculty Research Award, and the Jordan D. Fiore Research Prize in World Justice. A description of each award and the nomination process is available at http://www.bridgew.edu/Depts/AcAffairs/Useful_Information.cfm.

In 2004, the college launched the Bridgewater State College Presidential Fellows Program. As a complement to existing programs supporting faculty scholarship, the Presidential Fellows Program permits a faculty member to concentrate for a full year on his or her research or creative endeavor. Each academic year, the college will support a Presidential Fellow with a full release of teaching and related duties and a $10,000 stipend for travel, equipment, and/or other faculty needs. All full-time faculty are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to faculty members who have a well-documented record of research or creative activity, whose scholarly work is poised for significant growth, and who have a well-designed plan for the use of a full year of release time. Applications for this award are announced by e-mail.

The Alumni Association presents awards to faculty and staff. These include the V. James DiNardo Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Martha D. Jones Outstanding Dedication to Students Award. A list and description of these awards are available at http://www.bridgew.edu/Alumni/Awards.cfm.

CART facilitates annual awards to recognize faculty publications and creative works. An announcement is sent by e-mail along with the eligibility criteria for the different forms of publication and creative work.

Late in the Spring semester, the President's Office hosts a major faculty awards ceremony entitled the "Awards for Academic Excellence." Announcements and invitations are mailed and e-mailed annually.

Last Modified: July 21, 2008