THE COLLEGE PROGRAM			UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
                                               
ELIGIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES

The College Program is an educational benefit that allows full-time employees who have completed at least six months of employment to have release time from work to attend a college course. The purpose of the College Program is to encourage the development of employees through formal education. The program complements the university’s mission. Our business is knowledge, and knowledgeable workers are increasingly in demand in support roles.

1.	Employees must go through regular admission channels and meet admissions requirements.

2.	Courses may be job related, degree related or for UH career development. Career paths at UH frequently cross departmental lines, and formal education may be a deciding factor in promotion decisions.

3.	Appropriate approvals must be obtained on the application. Approval of first line supervisor is 
      needed for work scheduling decisions. The department head’s approval is necessary because of 
      his/her overall personnel responsibilities.

4.	A maximum of 3 hours per week of working hours can be allowed for class attendance.  
 
5.	The cost of tuition and books are the employee’s responsibilities. The monetary benefit to the employee is leave time from work. (hourly wage x total hours per semester = benefit).

6.	The employee’s primary responsibilities are to his/her job. An approved application represents a
      department’s commitment of release time for class attendance. The employee is obligated to 
      his/her job responsibilities during work hours when the class is not in session.

7.	The classroom time required to complete the course may not be charged against the employee. 
       Employees cannot be required to take the class during their lunch hour or to make up the time. 

8.	Supervisors must make an effort in good faith to accommodate requests for participation. This may require rescheduling or cross training. It may require negotiating the class time. Applications may be denied in some situations, for example when 2 employees in a small office request the same class time. An alternative is to alternate semesters for participation.

9.	Any disapproved requests are to be in writing under “Disapproved Action”.  Putting this in    
      writing enhances understanding and ensures consistent decisions.

10.	Requests to take courses at other campuses may be approved. A choice of college is a personal      matter. The content of the course, however, is a departmental concern if it is unrelated to   positions. Travel time to and from another campus should also be considered.

11.	Supervisors may request to see proof of enrollment and completion of courses.

12.	The employee is required to reflect College Program release time on their timesheet.

			The College Program is a part of Training and Development
				And is administered by Human Resources.

DH:12/7/00

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

COLLEGE PROGRAM APPLICATION

In accordance with the provisions of the State Employees Training Act and University of Houston regulations, I wish to apply for permissions to enroll in and for the necessary time off to attend the class stated below.

NAME:_______________________________ DEPARTMENT:____________________________________________

TITLE:_______________________________  EMPL ID:_________________________________________________

COURSE INFORMATION for SEMESTER, YEAR: _____________________________________________________

COURSE: _______________________________________ COURSE NUMBER: ______________________________

DEGREE PROGRAM:_______________________TIME/DAYS:___________________________________________

THIS COURSE IS:_______JOB RELATED:_______DEGREE RELATED:________for CAREER DEVELOPMENT

UNDERSTANDING BY EMPLOYEE

	I understand that I must meet regular admission requirements and comply with the conditions and requirements of the State Employees Training Act and University of Houston regulations,  including proper notation of class release time on my timesheet.

					____________________________________     _____________________
					Employee Signature			     Date

UNDERSTANDING BY THE EMPLOYING DEPARTMENT

	The above employee is granted permission to enroll in and attend the course stated above. The classroom time required to complete the course will not be charged against the employee. We affirm that this course of instruction meets all conditions and requirements of the State Employees Training Act and University Park regulations.

COMMENTS:____________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

					___________________________________     ______________________
					Supervisor Signature		                  Date
		        APPROVALS:
					___________________________________     ______________________
					Dean or Department Head Signature                  Date

DISAPPROVED ACTION: The above employee is not granted release time because: ___________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

					___________________________________     ______________________
					Supervisor Signature			    Date

					___________________________________      ______________________
					Dean or Department Head Signature                    Date

After final action, the appropriate supervisor provides a copy of the application to the employee and forwards the original to the Human Resources Department, Training Section, for audit. The record becomes a part of the employee’s permanent personnel file.

Revised Form: 12/7/00