The BCGEU Education Support and Professional Development (ESPD) Fund is to maintain and promote high quality education, diversity and access to programs and courses. VIU shall provide support for instructors to enhance their practice through encouraging and supporting innovation in instruction that will tangibly improve services to students.
The Fund will strengthen the University's focus on student learning by providing relevant and up-to-date material along with easier access to inspiring learning environments that combine teaching excellence with high quality courses and programs.
The ESPD Fund includes innovative education support for the following areas:
- Professional Development
- Instructor Supports
- Student Supports
Application Timelines
Applications are accepted year round while funding is available and is based on fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
The Committee generally meets monthly (first Thursday), with the exception of July and August, and will review applications received. Please submit applications at least four (4) days prior to the first Thursday of each month.
To Apply
- Review Eligibility and Fact Sheet Sections Below
- Application Form (PDF)
- Application Form (Word)
- Forward your application to BCGEU ESPD support member (ER@viu.ca).
- Apply as soon as possible.
Applications
- ESPD Fund is available to non-regular and regular BCGEU instructors and students enrolled in a BCGEU program.
- The activity or event must fall within the fiscal year the funds are committed.
- For initiatives, a maximum of $4,000 Canadian Dollars per year can be provided, while funds are available.
- Multiple applications can be submitted per year as long as they fall within the funding maximums.
- The Committee will give priority to applicants who have not already been approved for funding in the current fiscal.
- If more than one employee wishes to attend the same event/activity, such as a conference or Trade Fair, please provide supporting remarks from your Associate Dean and Chair for the reason why the department is supporting two or more people to attend.
- Due to limited funds, the Committee may not support multiple attendees for the same event/activity.
- Notice of new fiscal year open to receive applications will be announced to all BCGEU employees by e-mail.
- Committee will give priority to applicants who have not already been approved for funding in the current fiscal.
- Application Procedure: Complete the application form, receive appropriate approval signatures, and submit along with any supporting documentation required by the Committee to the ESPD Fund Support member.
- Completed applications will be forwarded to the BCGEU ESPD Fund Committee for consideration.
- Applications can be received year round, while funding is available.
- Applications must be signed off by the Senior Administrator.
- Example of additional supporting documentation may include estimated expense claims, conference brochure/pamphlet, web links to activities, and quotes and/or invoices.
- Activity or event must fall within the fiscal year the funds are committed.
- Expenses must be submitted within the fiscal year they are committed for payment/reimbursement.
- To receive funds (Employee):
- First option (Employees Only): For third party vendors (invoice provided), follow the Purchase Order Requisition process (Unit 4 FIS) prior to purchasing. Request the approval email to ER@viu.ca (required to open a PO). It is the responsibility of the employee to submit the PO and Goods Receipt. Reach out to your area's administrative support staff for help. FIS is a complicated system and your administrative support staff are more familiar with it and can help you.
- Review the Employee Portal Training for specifics on the requesting a Purchase Order Requisition and Goods Receipt.
- If the vendor is not an existing customer in FIS, then request a "Standard Supplier Set-Up and Maintenance Form". Contact Finance with questions.
- Second option (Employees Only): If the costs are paid by the employee directly, an expense claim form would be required with receipts and submitted to the Committee Support Member (ER@viu.ca) for approval and processing to accounts payable. View the Employee Travel and Expense Claim form website for details.
- Review the "Additional Guidelines for Reimbursement of Travel and Other Expenses"
- Use the Employee Travel and Expense Claim form to help determine your funding request amounts and to submit for reimbursement after your approved activity.
- For International travel, Instructors are required to receive international travel authorization.
- Third option (Employees Only): If the costs are paid by the employee's Purchasing Card, when reconciling the monthly charges, the ESPD fund work order must be used directly and an email seeking approval of the charges be sent to ER@viu.ca for these charges. Receipts must be included and follow the Purchasing card guidelines/instructions. There is no transfer of funds between work orders. Once charged to a work order, that is where the charges will remain.
- To receive funds (Student):
- First option (Student Only): Submit the Special Form - Work Order payment scholarship and bursary form, to ER@viu.ca for approval with the receipts. Form is available through Accounts Receivable department. Only eligible expenses will be approved for reimbursement.
- Second option (Student Only): If you are working with your department or faculty on this funding request, the department may be willing to submit invoices on your behalf through the Purchase Order Requisition process. However, they are not obligated to do this and it is the responsibility of the student to coordinate how costs associated with the funding request will be paid for.
- Expenses are reimbursed after the date of the activity/event, if paid for directly by the applicant.
- Members are to provide a report of the activity and accomplishments which they received funding for and submit it within two (2) months following the completion of the activity/accomplishment to the Committee. The report, with consent of the member, will be published on the ESPD Fund webpage.
ESPD Fund Committee is a joint committee that comprises of 2 BCGEU and 2 Management members.
- Charlene Stewart, Adult Basic Education
- Brad Jannaway, Heavy Mechanical Trades
- Maxwell Stevenson, Director, CIEL
- Marti Harder, Associate Dean, HSHS
ESPD Fund Support - Kamala Morgan, Employee Relations Associate
2024-2025 Applications
- Amy Woermke, Instructor, ACP
- Andrea MacLean, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Arden Magtiza, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Aron Weber, Instructor, Professional Baking ( BAC Showcase Report)
- Buddy Wolfe, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Christine Godlonton, Instructor, Culinary Arts ( Buttercream Report)
- Christine Quist, Instructor, Horticulture
- Dale Baumel, Instructor, Automotive
- David Nolan, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Dean Cadieux, Instructor, Automotive Service Technician
- Deon Lane, Instructor, RACM
- Gina Easton, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Joanne Slocum, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Joe Blain, Instructor, Carpentry
- Julien Savard, Instructor, Welding
- Karley Menzies, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Ken Harper, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Kevin Levins, Instructor, HEO
- Lesley Osborne, Instructor, Esthetics
- Marijke Campbell, Instructor, ABE
- Ron Depape, Instructor, Automotive
- Samantha Letourneau, Instructor, ABE ( Report)
- Sara Fulla, Aboriginal Student Transition Advisor, ACP
- Shelby Milholm, Instructor, ACP
- Sheldon Brunt, Instructor, Carpentry
- Shiyu Huang, Instructor, ACP
- Stephanie Boychuck, Instructor, ABE ( Report)
- Tanis Dagert, Instructor, ABE
- Tanya Assaf, Instructor, ACP ( Report)
2023-2024 Applications
- Anastasia Antoniadis, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Andrew Cole, Instructor, HEO
- Andrew MacLeod, Instructor, Carpentry
- Anna Hargreaves, Instructor, Industry Training
- Aron Weber, Instructor, Professional Baking ( Report Skills BC; AW Bakery Showcase)
- Barry Benisky, Instructor, Motorcycle & Marine Technician
- Caitlin MacDonald, Instructor, The High School at VIU
- Christine Godlonton, Instructor, Culinary Arts ( Report)
- Christine Lynch, Instructor, The High School at VIU
- Christine Quist, Instructor, Horticulture
- David Drury, Instructor, Welding
- David Nolan, Instructor, Culinary
- Dean Cadieux, Instructor, Automotive Service Technician
- Deon Lane, Instructor, HVAC
- Francois de Jong, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Garry Kuntz, Instructor, Carpentry
- Jason Lloyd, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Jergus Priboj, Instructor, The High School at VIU
- Jessica Gemella, Instructor, Horticulture
- Joanne Slocum, Instructor, Hairdressing ( Report)
- Joe Blain, Instructor, Carpentry
- Joerg Gabler, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Jonathon Bratseth, Instructor, Carpentry
- Ken Harper, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Kim Fraser, Instructor, HCA
- Lesley Osborne, Instructor, Esthetics ( Report)
- Ling Ma, Instructor, Practical Nursing
- Marianne Roden, Instructor, Dental Assistant
- Matthew Beck, Instructor, HVAC ( Report)
- Sarah Whiteley, Instructor, Practical Nursing
- Sayuri Kubota, Instructor, The High School at VIU
- Tricia Young, Instructor, The High School
- Twila Tonon, Instructor, HCA
2022-2023 Applications
- Anna Hargreaves, Instructor, PD&T
- Anne Ruuskanen, Instructor, Practical Nursing (on behalf of Student Group) ( Report)
- Arden Magtiza, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Aron Weber, Instructor, Professional Baking
- Avi Sternberg, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Brad Jannaway, Instructor, Heavy Mechanical ( Report)
- Buddy Wolfe, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Cameron Frenette, Instructor, Carpentry
- Christine Godlonton, Instructor, Culinary Arts ( Report)
- Christine Quist, Instructor, Horticulture
- Dale Baumel, Instructor, Automotive Service Technician
- Daryl Pushor, Instructor, Automotive
- David Nolan, Instructor, Culinary
- Deon Lane, Instructor, HVAC ( Report)
- Gina Easton, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Jenny Aronson, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Jessica Gemella, Instructor, Horticulture
- Joanne Slocum, Instructor, Hairdressing
- Joerg Gabler, Instructor, Culinary Arts ( Report)
- Ken Harper, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Ling Ma, Instructor, Practical Nursing
- Marianne Roden, Instructor, Dental Assistant
- Rian Tapp, BCGEU Student (Group application), Culinary Arts Program
- Sarah Whiteley, Instructor, Practical Nursing
- Shelley-Anne Gajda, Instructor, Office Administration
- Tanya Assaf, Instructor, Access Programs ( Report)
- Tricia Young, Instructor, VIU International High School
2021-2022 Applications
- Jenny Aronson, Instructor, Culinary Arts
- Professional Development - Activities directly relevant to the role of the faculty members within the University, including:
- studies, and
- experience in business, industry, community service, government or other educational institutions.
- Instructor Supports - Related and tangible classroom supports will be developed to improve the learning experiences of students, for example:
- Creative application of technology
- In-class cultural liaisons
- Training and awareness of positive mental health
- Ability to develop enhancements to current programs, or create new programs that improve the level of success of the diverse student
- Student Supports - To achieve greater levels of success within VIU programs, student support initiatives might include:
- Peer support programs
- Numeracy and literacy supports
- Communication skills workshops
- Tutor supports
- Study skills enhancements and time management guidance