How to Request Funds for Faculty Travel Related to Teaching and Learning

Faculty Travel Funding Requests - Let's Focus on Teaching and Learning!

The focus of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) is faculty development and knowledge sharing. Often, our faculty members have opportunities to travel in order to gain new skills and strategies or to present workshops in conference settings. Faculty travel can be a great way to connect our teaching experts to others in the higher education learning community. It's also an important way for faculty to stay current in their fields and to collaborate with other leaders in teaching excellence.

To support these efforts, the FCTL has a limited budget to support travel for full-time faculty (including the FCTL Director, who is a faculty member on temporary appointment). Our aim is to support the core mission of the Faculty Center. So, FCTL travel funds are used to support conference travel that directly relates to teaching and learning.

1. Start by completing the FCTL Travel Request Form.
   The FCTL Director cannot sign off on the general Travel Authorization Form if this FCTL Travel Request Form has not been completed. You must submit this form before proceeding with any other travel-related funding forms or requests.

2. Next, follow the College’s standard process for requesting travel funds.
   Complete and submit the Travel/Virtual Training Authorization Form  (often called the "TAF") for the FCTL Director's review and signature. Be sure it is also signed by your Dean as well as the Academic Affairs SPD representative, Patti Boyle. Include supporting travel documentation like mileage, airfare, meals, registration, etc. You can find more information about SPD Travel Guidelines by visiting the SPD Travel and Virtual Training Page.

3. Need a Hand? For more details on travel policies, visit the Office of Finance and Budget's Travel page. You can also work with your department's administrative team if you need some help with the process.

Important

• Funding Scope: Awards typically cover registration fees and other necessary travel costs associated with travel (totaling under $500). Faculty are expected to seek additional support from their department and SPD funds when available.
  • The typical breakdown for sharing the travel costs is as follows:
    • SPD 50%
    • Department 25%
    • FCTL 25%
    • TIP: Find your total cost, then divide by 4. This is 25% of the cost. If that 25% amount is greater than $500, the FCTL will not match that. We max out at $500. In that case, your other funding sources will need to take on a larger share.
• Multiple Requests: Faculty may submit more than one request per fiscal year (July 1–June 30). The total per faculty member is capped at $500 per person each year.
• Eligibility: Preference is given to faculty who actively participate in Faculty Center events.
• Knowledge Sharing: After returning from sponsored travel, faculty who receive funding should be prepared to share their new knowledge by planning a new workshop for Seminole State colleagues. This can be a standalone workshop, or it could be part of one our conferences. This expectation is stated clearly in the FCTL Travel Request Form.
• Policy Compliance: All College travel policies and procedures apply. The FCTL process does not replace the general Travel Authorization Form or required approvals from your Dean, AVP, and (for national travel) the VP of Academic Affairs.
• Plan in Advance: Requests should be submitted 2–3 months in advance. Retroactive requests will not be considered.

Questions?

Do you have some questions?  We are here to help. If you believe your travel opportunity aligns with the Faculty Center’s mission, you can contact Tamara Steffy, Director of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. It is a good idea to confirm fund availability and appropriateness of travel before submitting your request.