Frequently Asked Questions
Grants
Q: I have chosen to receive a stipend or lump sum payment from my grant. When will I receive the funds?
A: CSU and CRAC: Stipends will be added to your payroll check shortly after the beginning of the new fiscal year as both grants are awarded during the summer. Lump sum payments for expenses come in a separate check from Accounts Payable and take an estimated 2-3 weeks for processing.
FDAC: No stipends or lump sum payments are awarded for FDAC professional development grants.
MRRC: Stipends will be added to your payroll check. Lump sum payments for expenses come in a separate check from Accounts Payable. Please anticipate a 2-3 week turn-around time for processing.
Q: How much grant money is left in my Banner Org?
A: Please contact Ms. Jennifer Hudson at x25357 or via e-mail at hudsonj1@southernct.edu to find out available balances. Please note that Ms. Hudson has Read-Only access to Banner. For finance questions and/or concerns, please contact Mr. Ajay Chhabra at x26852 or via e-mail at chhabraa1@southernct.edu.
Q: May I have a copy of the RFP?
A: Faculty Development distributes requests for proposals for the grants it administers via e-mail and also via the Faculty Development web page: http://www.southernct.edu/faculty_development/grants/
Q: When is the due date for project proposals?
A: Each grant administered by Faculty Development has its own due date for project proposals. These will be posted on our web page.
Q: Was I accepted for the grant?
A: You will receive a letter indicating whether or not your proposal has been funded.
Q: Did I file a report yet?
A: We suggest that you keep a copy of any grant reports submitted to the Office.
Q: What is the easiest payment option?
A: The easiest payment option is leaving the administration of the funds to the University. This entails the creation of a Banner organization number that will house your funds. Each time you submit necessary paperwork (e.g. a Purchase Requisition to purchase supplies and materials totaling $100.00 and over; an Honorarium Request Form or Personal Service Agreement for a consultant and/or guest speaker, etc.) the amount you specify for a given purpose will be charged to your Banner organization for your respective grant. No hassle with taxes. Other payment options (applicable only to CSU Research Grants, Curriculum-Related Activities Grants and Minority Recruitment and Retention Grants) include a lump sum payment for supplies and materials and/or a stipend.
Q: What are the reviewers looking for and what are the criteria?
A: Each committee has its own respective criteria for a given grant. Please check the request for proposals and guidelines for the given grant.
Q: What happens if I don't use all of my grant funds?
A: If there are funds remaining in your Banner Org. after the grant cycle ends, they will be returned to the general account for the appropriate grant.
Q: Why didn't I get funded for "x" grant?
A: The most common reason why a grant proposal does not get funded is because the project outlined in the document does not meet the criteria or fit the purview of the specific grant for which it has been submitted. Often, such proposals may be better suited for a different type of Faculty Development grant or funding source. Faculty Development offers recommendations for improving proposals and/or locating other funding sources.
Q: Who do I contact about travel money, travel policies and travel procedures?
A. While Faculty Development can answer most general questions related to all travel associated with FD-administered grants, more specific questions about travel expenses, policies and procedures can be directed to Ms. Anele Harrington, Travel Office/Accounts Payable, at ext. 26846, or via harringtona1@southernct.edu.
Q: I started the grant with "x" proposal, but "blank" happened and I had to change the grant, what do I do?
A: Should there be an amendment to your grant, please submit an official memorandum on University letterhead to the respective grant review committee explaining the reason and logistics for the change. Please also copy Dr. Bonnie-Farley-Lucas and Ms. Jennifer A. Hudson of Faculty Development on the memo. The grant review committee will then review the request and make recommendations to Provost Selase Williams.
Q: Are part-time faculty eligible for grants?
A: Part-time faculty members are eligible for Faculty Development Advisory Committee (FDAC) grants.
Workshops, Sessions, and Forums
Q: Which workshops are being offered this semester?
A: Faculty Development prepares a detailed schedule of upcoming workshops at the start of each semester. The schedule is then distributed to each academic department via campus mail, posted in the Faculty Development office (EN B106) and listed on our web page. As each workshop approaches, it will be referenced in our Weekly Calendar.
Q: How do I RSVP when I wish to attend a workshop?
A: Please RSVP by sending a short email to facultydevel@southernct.edu. (We are currently developing a system within our web page that will streamline the RSVP process.)
Q: Was I accepted as a workshop participant?
A: You will receive a letter or an e-mail from Faculty Development informing you of your acceptance.
Q: When will I get paid the stipend for participating in the FYE Academy, SummerTech or Teaching with Writing?
A: The stipend will be added to your payroll check. There is generally a 2-3 week turn around period following the given workshop.
Yale Library Card
Q: When may I start using the card?
A: Generally, the turn around time for the acceptance letter from Southern's Director of Library Services is two weeks from the date of application submission.
Q: How often may I use it?
A: You may use your Yale Library Card as often as you wish during your granted 3-month period.
Q: Where do I pick up the acceptance letter?
A: All letters of acceptance may be retrieved at the Circulation Desk in Buley
Library. This letter must then be taken to Yale's Sterling Memorial Library to obtain card privileges.
Q: May I have an exception to the 3-month cycle?
A: Generally, exceptions to the 3-month cycle are not granted. However, faculty members are encouraged to apply early for the next 3-month cycle if they wish.
Q: Are part-time faculty eligible for Yale Library Cards?
A: Yes.
Weekly Calendar and All-Faculty E-mail Distribution List
Q: How do I make a submission to the Weekly Calendar?
A: Please send an email to facultydevel@southernct.edu. Include a brief description of the event you wish to publicize as well as its date, time and location.
Q: What is the deadline for Weekly Calendar?
A: The deadline for submissions to the Weekly Calendar is the Tuesday afternoon of the week prior to your desired publication time.
Q: Can you distribute a message about my event via the all-faculty e-mail list?
A: Certainly, but we ask that you limit the text and refrain from the use of attachments.
Guest Speakers
Q: How do I allocate funds from my grant to pay a guest speaker?
A: If the amount you wish to pay a guest speaker is under $2,999, complete a Services and Honorarium Request Form, which may be downloaded from our web page. If the amount you wish to compensate a guest speaker is $3,000 or above, complete a Personal Service Agreement (PSA). This form may be obtained from Faculty Development. Additionally, the University will need a completed W-9 form for the speaker, which may be downloaded from our web page. All paperwork should be submitted to Faculty Development at least three weeks prior to the speaker's presentation. Please contact Faculty Development at x25358 with any questions about the completion of paperwork.
Q: How will my guest speaker receive compensation?
A: After the speaker's presentation, submit a Voucher/Disbursement Form to our office. This form is available on our web page and is necessary to release the funds from your grant. Accounts Payable will then mail a check to the speaker.
New Faculty Orientation and Part-Time Orientation
Q: When will I get my first pay check?
A: There is a two-week hold back period before you may anticipate your first
Payroll check.
Q: Where are some good restaurants close to campus?
A: Delaney's Restaurant, Bella's Café, Lena's Café and Confections are all located along Whalley Avenue once you make a right off of Fitch Street from campus.
Q: How do I arrange for computer service?
A: Contact the Academic Computing Center, x26444, to set up your Windows and MySCSU accounts and login names and passwords. We also highly recommend you stop by the Faculty Technology Walk-In Center located in Buley Library, Room 309 A, x25061, for instruction on how to use the various platforms, applications and tools available to support your teaching.
Q: How do I arrange phone service?
A: Contact telecommunications at x25453.
Q: What is the policy for dealing with disruptive students?
A: In the case of a disruptive student, faculty should inform the Dean of Student Affairs, the Department Chairperson, and the Academic Dean in writing that a warning has been issued to a student. These guidelines are detailed in the SCSU Policy for Dealing with Disruptive Students. The University has a zero tolerance policy for classroom disruptions.
Q: Who do I approach if I have a student problem?
A: In the case of immediate danger, faculty should contact campus police at x25375. If you are dealing with a disruptive student, please contact Christopher Piscitelli, University Judicial Officer, at x25870, piscitellic1@southernct.edu. If you have a student in your class who seems to be dealing with a given issue, please refer him or her to Counseling Services at x25475.
Miscellaneous
Q: What are standards for Promotion and Tenure?
A: Please visit http://www.southernct.edu/employment/uploads/textWidget/wysiwyg/documents/P__T_2007-08.doc
Q: Are tuition waivers available for family members of faculty?
A: Tuition Waiver is available for full-time faculty, their spouses and their children under the age of twenty-five if the members have at least one semester of service (see Article 13.13 of the AAUP/BOT Collective Bargaining Agreement). You must complete a Tuition Waiver form, obtained and approved in the Human Resources Office, and presented to the Bursar's Office when registering. This waiver may be used only on the four CSU campuses.
Q: Can you create name tags for a function?
A: Only if the event it is funded by Faculty Development monies.
Q: Can you do an all-faculty mailing/flyer?
A: Absolutely. We maintain an all-faculty e-mail distribution list and will gladly
disseminate an electronic announcement. In respect for workload and netiquette, we ask that announcements stay brief and have no attachments. Also, if you provide us with printed copies, we will gladly disseminate flyers via campus mail.
