TO:         USM Community

FROM:     Richard L. Pattenaude
              President    

As an institution of higher education, with a mission of lifelong learning, staff development for all employees at USM is essential and critical in helping to strengthen employee skills and expertise. Supervisors are strongly encouraged to allow release time during normal work hours so that staff may participate in a minimum of one staff development program per semester. Release time scheduling should be dependent upon appropriate office coverage. As applicable, employee bargaining unit contracts take precedence over this policy.