McConnell Travel Fund

MEMORANDUM

TO: All Full-Time Faculty and Lecturers, Lab Instructors and Paraprofessionals who are appointed at or above the half-time level on a continuing basis

FROM: Brenda Tooley, Dean of the College

DATE: December 18, 2007

SUBJECT: McConnell Travel Fund

We are pleased to announce the availability of support for faculty travel through the McConnell Travel Fund for the 2008-09 academic year. This endowed fund, established by Campbell McConnell ‘50, recognizes that regular professional interaction and continued development for faculty members is important to the intellectual life of Cornell College.

Awards may range from $100 to a maximum of $2,500. Applications may be partially funded; applications, even when targeted to appropriate expenditures, may not be funded if they are less meritorious than others. Funds will be available as of June 1, 2008.

These funds are available in addition to the annual allocation of $400 for faculty travel or professional development. When you apply for these McConnell travel funds, please specify how you plan to use the annual allocation of $400 and justify the need for additional funding.

General Guidelines:

1) The McConnell Travel Fund will support faculty travel, including attendance at professional meetings (air and ground transportation, registration, lodging and meals).

2) Travel for special projects and initiatives will also be supported, if approved by the Dean of the College and the President. In addition, any use of McConnell Travel Funds for travel outside of the continental United States must be approved by the Dean of the College.

3) The Dean of the College and the President will receive recommendations for awarding McConnell Travel grants from the Advisory Committee on Faculty Development.

4) Travel funds may be obtained through an advance or by submitting receipts. In either case, the “Official Travel Loan and Expense Reporting Form” should be completed and submitted to Nancy Rawson in the Office of Academic Affairs. As you plan your travel, please refer to the “Guidelines for Travel on College Business” on the Academic Affairs webpage. Receipts must be turned in and advances cleared within 30 days of the travel in order for you to receive reimbursement.

Application Procedure:

1) Proposals of 1 – 2 pages should include:

• A description of the proposed travel.
• A statement explaining how this activity contributes to the faculty member’s professional development.
• A detailed budget outlining the cost of the travel.
• Other information you consider appropriate.

2) Submit the proposal to Nancy Rawson, Office of Academic Affairs, by March 3, 2008. Be sure to receive confirmation that your proposal was received. Retain a copy for your file. Awards will be announced in mid-March 2008.

Special Requirements:

1) Faculty members in a terminal year may not apply for grants.

2) Part-time, regular faculty members are eligible to apply for grants when the project is directly related to the faculty member’s teaching and scholarly work at the College.

3) Funds must be used as proposed. If the grantee cannot use the funds as proposed, he or she should notify the Dean’s Office.

4) Grantees must submit a pertinent activity report summarizing achievements and expenditures to the Office of Academic Affairs by February 1, 2009. Travel may or may not be fully completed by this time. The grantee cannot be considered for additional support until this report is filed. Funds should be expended in full by June 15, 2009.