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Frequently Asked Questions
What is "release time" and how do I get it?
What exactly is the rule about taking classes during work time?
How do I get on a committee?
What's this "Pre-Approval Form" all about?
How can I find out if my Pre-Approval Form has been okayed by the board?
Is any funding available to help defray expenses associated with the Career Employee Program?
How do I get admitted to the University? How do I register?
Whom should I contact if I have a question, complaint, or suggestion about the Career Employee Program?
TIME OFF
What is "release time" and how do I get it?
Occasionally, you may be given official approval to spend time
away from your normal work assignments in order to participate
in other work-related activities. Being thus released from your
normal duties is called "release time." Release time must be approved
by your supervisor and team leader.
Each University employee is entitled to 32 hours per year of release time in order
to attend campus-sponsored training programs. Release time is NOT granted for academic
coursework (unless such classes are a requirement of your job -- see note below).
Most work toward completion of the Career Employee Program must be accomplished on
your own time. One exception is service on library committees, which is considered work time.
We encourage you to talk with your supervisor early and often about scheduling time
to accommodate CEP activities.
What exactly is the rule about taking
classes during work time?
You may take release time ONLY for classes that are a
required part of your job. However, you and your supervisor may
agree to rearrange your work schedule so that you can attend a class
during your normal work hours and MAKE UP the missed time, still
working the requisite number of hours each week. We encourage Career
Employee Program participants to thoroughly discuss these options
with their supervisors and team leaders.
LIBRARY COMMITTEES
How do I get on a committee?
Check SharePage (www.lib.utk.edu/~share/)
under "Committees, Working Groups and Task Forces" to
identify active library committees. Also talk with your supervisor,
team leader, and CEP board members to learn about committees.
As soon as you identify a committee of interest, CEP board members
will be glad to lobby with the Dean of Libraries or the committee
chair to help secure committee service for CEP participants. Don't
wait to begin the search for a committee assignment. Some committees
add new members only once a year.
PRE-APPROVAL FORMS
What's this "Pre-Approval Form"
all about?
If you plan to commit time and effort to an activity,
first make sure it counts! As soon as you have an idea of
how you might fulfill one of the competencies, submit a brief
written proposal to the CEP board, using the
Pre-Approval Form.
You may give the Form to your mentor or to any board member.
Email submissions are welcome.
The board wants to sign-off on your proposed activity before you begin. We want
to make sure we're all "on the same page" about precisely
what activities will fulfill the competency. The board might add
further requirements (such as a written report) or make other creative
suggestions.
How can I find out if my Pre-Approval Form has been okayed
by the board?
Kathleen Bailey maintains a notebook that tracks each
participant's progress. Pre-Approval Forms are filed here. You may
check the notebook at any time to monitor your status. When
you submit a Pre-Approval Form, you should receive an email response
to your proposal within a few days. If not, check with your mentor,
with Kathleen Bailey, or with any board member.
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Is any funding available to help defray expenses associated
with the Career Employee Program?
Sometimes the library will support participation in workshops
or conferences by allowing release time or by paying registration
fees. The University's Human Resources office also has funds available
to support staff development. Ask your supervisor, CEP mentor,
or the Personnel Librarian how to apply for release time or funding.
Be creative in looking for sources of funding. Sometimes the student chapter of a
library association will provide monies to allow students to travel to association conferences.
TIPS FOR REGISTRATION
How do I get admitted to the University? How do I register?
Below are highlights to help with the decision process
of enrolling at The University of Tennessee. See the Undergraduate
and Graduate Admissions' websites for more details.
Undergraduate Admissions --
admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate/admissions.shtml
Options available include:
- Readmission applicant -- completed one or more semesters
at UT Knoxville
- Re-entry Student -- been out of school for one or more years
- Non-degree seeking Student -- wants to take a class, not
seek a degree at UT
Graduate Admissions
-- admissions.utk.edu/graduate/
Minimum requirements include:
- Bachelor's degree
- GPA of 2.7 for undergraduate study or a 3.0 for your senior
year (must have a 3.0 for previous graduate work)
QUESTIONS? COMPLAINTS?
Whom should I contact if I have a question, complaint, or
suggestion about the Career Employee Program?
CEP board members (and particularly your CEP mentor)
are always ready to answer your questions or discuss your concerns.
They also welcome suggestions for improving the program. Please ask questions!
A simple query could save you a lot of time or could stimulate fresh ideas.
The Personnel Librarian, Jill Keally, is actively involved with the Career Employee
Program and is always willing to discuss your concerns in confidence. Dean of Libraries
Barbara Dewey is deeply committed to the success of the Career Employee Program and of
CEP participants. Both Jill and Barbara are anxious to help you overcome any obstacles
to your successful participation in the program.
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