Department Climate Mini-Grants
Virginia Tech is committed to improving the work environment, often referred to as department climate, for faculty, staff, and students. Analyses of data from the 2008 Faculty Work-Life Survey conducted by AdvanceVT yielded faculty perceptions for nine factors assessed in the survey: Department Climate, Department Leadership, Work-Life Balance, Diversity, Performance Review, Resources, Recognition/Rewards, and Job Satisfaction. These perceptions varied across departments and colleges. Some departments had consistently positive perceptions by faculty for all factors while other departments showed areas where change might be pursued. College and departmental reports were distributed to deans and department heads in Spring 2009. Results summarized in these reports may provide direction for departments (or schools) in pursuing climate change initiatives.
Mini-grant Proposals
AdvanceVT, through the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost, invites proposals for mini-grants to implement initiatives designed to improve department climate. A department (or school) may request up to $2,500; up to five proposals will be funded. The funds may be used, for example, to engage a consultant to facilitate change, support attendance at training activities on- or off-campus, or support a department retreat on department climate. Department heads and/or faculty members may apply for a mini-grant on behalf of a department. Proposals may be based on the department’s Work-Life Survey results, or may be based on a topic of special interest to faculty members in the department. Furthermore, proposals may use the services of existing campus resources or may use services available from other institutions or organizations.
Examples of Areas of Focus for Mini-Grant Proposals
Department climate can be defined broadly, and there are many areas of department functioning that may be targeted to improve department climate. Some examples are:
- Improve departmental communication
- Increase engagement of members of department in decision making
- Develop transparent policies (e.g., promotion expectations, committee assignments, resource distribution)
- Develop a greater sense of intellectual community
- Develop a mentoring program for faculty
- Implement practices to promote better work-life balance
- Develop core values
Proposal Process
Mini-grant proposals are due October 19, 2009. Funds must be expended during the current fiscal year and in a manner consistent with university policies and procedures.
The proposal should be brief (cover page and no more than two pages of text) and should include the following information:
- Why is this project important for the department?
- What are the goals/objectives of the project and what outcomes or benefits are expected?
- How will the project goals/objectives be achieved (e.g., what activities will be carried out)?
- How will changes/improvements made as a result of this project be documented and sustained over time?
- Budget justification
Use this form to submit a proposal
Proposals will be reviewed by a faculty panel with selections announced by mid to late October. Proposals will be selected based on their relevance to this call, quality of the proposal including appropriate and informative responses to the questions above, evidence of departmental commitment to undertake the change initiative, and reasonableness of proposed budget.
Mini-grant recipients will be expected to provide a written report at the end of the year and attend a meeting of the AdvanceVT Advisory Council to discuss the project and outcomes.