Frequently Asked Questions

How can faculty spend their Professional Development Funds?

Professional development funds are available through the department and through the Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare (for child welfare related conference travel).

Faculty members who have their own professional development budget line may use their professional development funds for conference expenses (e.g., travel, registration, lodging and food), professional books, course related materials, teaching/research software, etc.  If you are not sure whether your purchase is related to professional development, contact Mike Raschick before you make the purchase. 

Is there money available for faculty professional development other than what is in their individual Professional Development accounts?

Child Welfare professional development funds are available for child welfare related conference travel.  To apply for this funding, complete the Child Welfare Professional Development Request form and submit it to Karen Nichols.

There are limited funds in the Faculty Processional Development Pool and people can apply to Mike if they wish to access these funds. In awarding this he follows specific guidelines which prioritize such things as “non-child welfare events that contribute to a faculty member’s research and/or teaching interests”.  

Are there funds available for staff professional development activities?

There is a special “Professional Development Pool” for staff.  You may apply for support from this by sending an e-mail to Mike Raschick explaining what you want to purchase, the purchase cost, and how it relates to your professional development.  Staff may also qualify for child welfare support if a conference they wish to attend is child welfare related.  To apply for this funding, complete the Child Welfare Professional Development Request form and submit it to Karen Nichols.

How can I be reimbursed for local travel expenses--and do I need pre-authorization for this? 

Department funds are available for some local travel including field agency visits, distance education, and community advisory committee meetings.  If this type of travel is part of your faculty load, you do not need prior authorization to travel.  Travel may, however, be limited if necessary due to reduced budgets.

Child Welfare travel funds are available for child welfare related travel activities.  If travel is part of your job description, you need only obtain verbal supervisor approval to travel locally, given the travel is included in the budget and the funding is available.  If you have questions regarding available travel funding, please contact Karen Nichols.

Can I get reimbursed for conference expenses where I am willing to do some formal recruiting?

Student recruitment funds may be available to part or all of your conference expenses when you are going to be spending a significant amount of time in formal recruitment activities.  Please make requests to Lynn Bye, the Director of Graduate Studies; or, if you are gong to do specific recruiting for Child Welfare Scholars, to Denny Falk, Director of the Center for Regional & Tribal Child Welfare Studies.

What is the difference between using a University fleet vehicle, a rental vehicle and my own vehicle for University travel?

The University encourages staff to use UMD fleet vehicles whenever possible, or if a fleet vehicle is not available, they recommend using a University contracted rental vehicle (see University Contracted Rental Agencies for agencies).  Under both of these circumstances, the vehicle is insured by the University.

If you choose to use your own vehicle, your vehicle and its occupants will not be covered by University insurance.  Reimbursement for using a personal vehicle is made at the rate listed under "Rates" on the Travel Policy website, which includes gas, insurance, maintenance, etc.  You may also choose to use a non-University contracted rental vehicle, but you will not be covered by University insurance. You will need to purchase collision damage waiver insurance at the time of rental.

Can I be reimbursed for my work related purchases?

The University prefers that you use a purchasing card rather than being reimbursed for your non-travel purchases.  Please contact Joan Hendershot (department) or Mary Simon (sponsored) if you would like to make a purchase on the purchasing card.

An employee may, however, be reimbursed for up to $500 for a single purchase, provided it was authorized in advance by the Department.  Complete the Department Purchase Order and submit it to Mike Raschick for authorization before making the purchase.

Provide the original receipt, together with a Reimbursement Request form to Joan Hendershot after the purchase.  If the purchase involves sponsored funds, submit original receipt with form to Mary Simon.

Do I need receipts for meal purchases?

Receipts are not required for meal purchases while traveling on University business, with the exception of hospitality expenses. Meals are reimbursed based on the Federal Per Diem Rate listed on the website for the specific location, and on the MI&E rate listed for individual meals.

What if I lose my receipts?

The University will not reimburse expenses over $25 without an original detailed receipt, with the exception of meals, which do not require a receipt.  You may be reimbursed using a credit card statement if the appropriate information is included on the statement (purchase description, dates of stay, etc.). 

If you lose a receipt for a hotel stay, airline ticket, conference registration, etc. you may be able to contact the vendor and ask for a duplicate receipt to be sent or faxed to you.  The employee is responsible for obtaining his or her own duplicate receipts.

How do I purchase a book or video that I want to use to prepare for a class?

General purchase of books or videos for use in course preparation may be purchased using professional development funds as explained above.

If the material is child welfare related and you are willing to release the material to the child welfare library after use, child welfare funds may be available to assist with the purchase.  Please talk to Johanna Garrison if you wish to purchase child welfare related materials.  Funds for cultural competence related books may also be available if you are willing to release the book to the cultural competence library after use.  Please talk to Anne Tellet if you wish to purchase cultural competence related materials.