The Professional Development Incentive (PDI) is a form of compensation that is not taxable income. The PDI monies are derived from Ferris State University (FSU) funds and are available to FSU full- and part-time faculty members. The funds are managed and distributed by the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) in association, typically, with an FCTL project or initiative. Recent projects for which PDIs were available include the "Course Portfolios Faculty Learning Community" (Fall 2007) and "Elevating Student Learning with Critical Thinking Faculty Learning Community" (Fall 2007).
To receive a PDI, a faculty member is typically expected to attend and participate in the majority of sessions and produce a product such as a course portfolio, as in the case of the "Course Portfolios Faculty Learning Community." In some instances, PDIs have been provided to faculty for their participation in training sessions. In instances in which a PDI is available, the specific requirements or expectations will be indicated in the description.
Upon successful fulfillment of the requirements or expectations, faculty members will receive notification via e-mail that the PDI has been awarded. The PDI will expire two years following notification of the award, at which time the funds will return to the PDI funding pool. At present, FCTL does not have an efficient and easy mechanism that allows faculty members to monitor their PDI funds. Until such a mechanism is available, faculty can simply request information about their PDI funds from Laurie Daniels, whose contact information is given below.
The purposes of the PDI are to support and enable faculty members' efforts to improve their teaching and their students' learning. These are, admittedly, broadly defined purposes for which any number of possible purchases may be appropriate. Thus, it rests upon the faculty member to use the funds in ways that fulfill these purposes. To further assist faculty in determining how best to use their PDIs, we provide here annotated links to relevant and important University policies, procedures, and recommendations.
Regarding ownership of items purchased with PDI monies
Since the PDI monies are University funds and are not considered taxable income, the items purchased with PDIs are the property of the University.
The procedure for purchasing computer hardware involves completing the Electronic Hardware Software Acquisition Review Form (eHSARF). There is information online about this procedure and the eHSARF itself at: eHSARF.
Information Technology Services has provided a number of important recommendations regarding, for example, software, desktop computers, laptop and notebook computers, and tablet PCs. These recommendations are online at: Technical Standards.
There is very important purchasing information, including an approval policy chart and information about vendors and savings on Dell computer purchases, at: Purchasing.
PDI monies that are awarded by FCTL are non-transferrable. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Finally, faculty may pool their PDI monies if such pooling directly benefits at least those faculty members. For example, if there was interest in purchasing a piece of equipment that could benefit multiple people, but no one person had sufficient PDI monies to pay for the equipment, PDIs from other faculty who will also directly benefit from purchasing the equipment may be used.
Here are the steps for using your PDI:
