Staff should submit career development applications to UHR

As the fall semester approaches, the University Human Resources team is reminding staff to submit their career development application forms before the beginning of the semester. Applications are available on the UHR Web site under the Career Development tab.

Three years ago, the Career Development Plan for administrative professionals was funded with $75,000 per year. Over the years, the plan has seen increased enrollment, depleting funds long before the end of each fiscal year. As a result, many APs enrolled in and planning to follow a course of study were forced to put plans on hold until a new budget year. This was a disadvantage not only to the APs, but also to the university, which benefits from a more educated workforce.

In July 2006, the university and a group of AP employees worked together to develop a new program. In it, the funding cap was removed and APs were made eligible to take up to 16 credits per fiscal year at Oakland University. In addition, the AP dependent plan had a funding limit of $60,000 per year. That plan also was revised, eliminating the funding limit and providing eligible AP dependents and their spouses a 50 percent tuition credit for up to 32 credits per fiscal year. Usage of the employee, dependent and spouse plans increased considerably under these new guidelines.

As an example, comparing data from FY06, FY09 shows a marked increase in the number of AP employees using the Career Development Plan. Usage is up from 37 to 56 employees and the number of credits has nearly doubled.
 
“When the plan went into place, we heard a collective sigh of relief from APs who were progressing through their educational goals. It was wonderful to know they could continue without interruption,” said Gail Ryckman, OU manager of employment services.

For more information on career development programs, visit the University Human Resources Web site at www.oakland.edu/uhr.