Staff Training & Enrichment Program
STEP (Staff Training and Enrichment Program) is an initiative established under the provost’s office to provide academic staff with training and career development opportunities in support of their vital contribution to Butler University.
Mission
Support Butler’s commitment to the highest quality of liberal and professional education by providing academic staff with meaningful learning opportunities that will enhance job skills, communication, collaboration, performance, and personal excellence.
Vision
A workplace culture that values and respects academic staff by providing learning and development opportunities and promoting innovation through communication and collaboration, thereby identifying Butler University as an employer of choice.
End of Year Staff Appreciation Ice Cream Social
Monday, May 1, 1:30-3:00
Dugan Hall 4th floor terrace
To celebrate the end of the 2022-23 academic year, all Butler staff are invited to stop by the Dugan Hall 4th floor terrace on Monday, May 1 between 1:30-3:00 p.m. to grab a treat and enter for a door prize drawing. No RSVP required. We look forward to seeing you there!
“Creating Accessible Online Documents”
Thursday, April 20, 11:00 a.m.-noon
Virtual workshop
All staff are invited to join us for this virtual workshop led by Evan Kinch (Academic Technology Specialist in the Center for Academic Technology) to learn about accessible online documents. Accessible documents benefit everyone and ensure that all people have equal access to your information. In this session, you will learn how to create Microsoft and Adobe PDF documents with accessibility in mind.
RSVP to STEP@butler.edu to receive the Zoom meeting link.
“Public Safety at Butler”
Friday, March 31, 11:00 a.m.-noon
Jordan Hall 041
All staff are invited to join us for this important presentation by Roy Betz, BUPD, regarding public safety at Butler. Discussion will include weather and medical emergencies, Dawg Alerts, active shooter and threat responses, and more. Space is limited – RSVP to STEP@butler.edu is required.
“Best Safety Practices and Self-defense”
Tuesday, March 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Lilly Hall 177
All staff are invited to join us for this in-person, hands-on session led by Roy Betz and Courtney White from BUPD. Participants will engage in new skills regarding techniques to think and act more safely, physical and non-physical self-defense strategies if faced with a dangerous situation, and more. Space is limited – RSVP to STEP@butler.edu is required.
“Digital Designs Using Canva”
Thursday, February 23, 11:00 a.m.-noon
Virtual workshop
All staff are invited to join us for this virtual workshop led by Kristen Palmer (academic technology specialist in the Center for Academic Technology) to get your creative juices flowing to craft beautiful designs using Canva. Drawing on good principles of design, you will learn how to take advantage of Canva templates to whip up presentations, social media posts, videos, and more. Want something specific covered? We are collecting ideas via Canva’s new whiteboard tool. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu to receive the Zoom meeting link.
“Step with STEP”
Timeline:
– Registration: January 17-31, 2023
– Official activity period: February 1-March 31, 2023
– Celebration lunch: April 24, 2023
Looking for motivation to be your best you in the new year? “Step with STEP” to increase awareness of your daily activity level and get walking this semester! All are welcome to participate in this opportunity. Visit www.butler.edu/well-being/health-recreation-complex/group-fitness-classes/step-with-step/ to learn more!
Microsoft 365 Information Session: MS Teams/OneDrive/SharePoint
Thursday, December 15; 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Have questions about navigating Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint? This hybrid session will be offered both in-person and via Zoom and will be led by Roy Weese, Infrastructure Systems Analyst. Roy will offer useful context to help allow for better understanding of collaboration, file management, and how these systems relate to one another. Following the informational overview of these platforms guests will have the opportunity for Q&A. RSVP to STEP@butler.edu indicating whether you will participate in person or via Zoom.
To request disability-related accommodations or inquire about accessibility, please contact STEP@butler.edu. Please allow two weeks’ advance notice in order to allow adequate time to make arrangements. Although attempts will be made to honor accommodation requests with less notice, it cannot be guaranteed that without two weeks’ notice a reasonable accommodation can be provided.
Program: This program supports Butler University Academic Staff in professional development activities or training related to their work at Butler. Academic staff may receive up to only one award (up to $500) per fiscal year. Application requests should fund related activities or training required to meet the applicant’s normal job duties.
Examples of activities that would be supported through this funding opportunity:
- Course registration
- Webinar or online course registration
- Training for a new skill or program
- Purchase of equipment or supplies to support professional development goals
- Books, supplies, specialty, or other materials
- Association membership if applicable
This list is not exhaustive—other ideas may be accepted.
A maximum of $500 will be awarded, provided costs meet aforementioned guidelines. As application requests should fund related activities or training required to meet the applicant’s normal job duties, all efforts should be made to first receive departmental funding before applying for STEP funding. STEP can help provide bridge funding in those instances. If no departmental funding is available, written justification must be provided by the applicant’s supervisor. Please note that expenses related to degree-related tuition, tuition fees, or books for degree-related programs are not fundable through the STEP mini-grant program. STEP will continue to evaluate applications through the fiscal year as funding remains available.
Your application must consist of a program statement including:
- The nature of the program and the need for support
- Its relevance to your work at Butler or benefit to your department
- The objectives, significance, how the work will be conducted, and a time schedule for completion
Please use the form available at the STEP website to fill out a detailed budget, and also include documentation of any related costs. The proposal form should be signed by the applicant, head of department/program, or dean of the college. Proposals that do not conform to these guidelines will be returned without evaluation. Use the form that is currently on the website.
Deadline: Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, but retroactive requests will not be considered, unless under special circumstances. Signed, scanned applications in a single pdf file should be sent to STEP@butler.edu. Decisions on applications will be communicated within 30 days. STEP will continue to evaluate applications through the fiscal year as funding remains available.
Expense paperwork and reports: A brief report (roughly one page) reflecting on or describing the outcome of the project using these funds is due to STEP at the time reimbursement is requested. Final reports and expense reimbursement requests must be submitted within the grant’s same fiscal year deadlines. Reimbursement requests submitted without a final report will not be processed and may jeopardize eligibility for future funding. The expenditure of STEP professional development funds requires adherence to Butler University fiscal regulations, and business office/procurement policies. Awardees should work directly with Rebecca DeGrazia regarding questions on business office or expense related concerns.
The Staff Training and Enrichment Program (STEP) offers Academic Affairs Staff reading opportunities in the fall and/or spring semesters, in cooperation with Butler’s Visiting Writers Series (VWS).
Books will be provided to the first 50 academic staff who register.
Register here for the spring 2023 VWS reading opportunity. Hurry! Deadline to register is February 24, 2023. We look forward to celebrating the Visiting Writers Series authors with you – happy reading!
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- Rebecca DeGrazia, Academic Affairs Assistant
- Beth Hospodarsky, Technical Specialist, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Susan Morton, Academic Program Coordinator, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Brandon Signorino, Administrative Supervisor, Butler University Libraries
- Mike Thomas, Sr. Associate Director, Career and Professional Success