Information For Faculty

WAC Research Fund Policies

For each semester that you teach a Writing Workshop, $1500 in funds will be set aside for you to draw upon for research–related expenses. These funds will be available to you after the semester ends, providing that you teach the fully-enrolled WW section and attend the monthly follow-up meetings for the WAC Program.

How to use your research funds:

• Research funds may be used for valid research-related purposes such as journal subscriptions, membership dues, attending conferences, hiring student help, buying books, buying research equipment, and purchasing special library privileges. Most computer software will be approved as a valid research-related expense, but some computer hardware (such as printers) may not. If you have a question about whether or not an item or expense will qualify for reimbursement through the WAC research fund, please contact Joanne Ferguson, 627-4239.
• You may use your WAC research fund to purchase a computer or other piece of equipment, but it will technically be owned by Tufts (though you will have exclusive use of it). Before buying a computer, speak with Peter Van Tilborg (x75439) in order to arrange your purchase at the lowest price. Please do not make a purchase without first consulting the Purchasing Office.
• Research funds may NOT be used to cover the expenses of family vacations or personal travel, interior decoration of office (rugs, curtains, artwork, etc), alcoholic beverages, air conditioners, or other items and expenses not related to your research or teaching at Tufts.

Research fund limits:

• If you regularly teach a Writing Workshop, your research funds may accrue over the years.
• Faculty may spend no more than $2,500 of their accumulated WAC research funds per fiscal year (July to June) without the prior approval of the Dean of Undergraduate Education.
• If you leave the university, your research fund will be eliminated upon the conclusion of your teaching duties or at the end of that fiscal year in June.
• You may not "give" or "donate" your research funds to another professor or use them for departmental events.

How to process the paperwork to be reimbursed through your research fund:

• All WAC Research Funds are recorded, managed, and dispensed by Joanne Ferguson, Administrative Coordinator for the Dean of Undergraduate Education. All requests for reimbursement through the WAC Research Fund are subject to approval by the Dean.
• To be reimbursed for an expense: Fill out a request for reimbursement (Business Expense Reimbursement Form, Travel Expense Form, etc) and submit it with your original receipt(s) to Joanne Ferguson in Dowling Hall. Attach a note stating that you would like these funds to be taken from your Writing Workshop account. In some cases, it would be helpful to explain briefly how the expense is related to your research.
• Travel and Purchase Orders: You can also request funds for something that has yet to occur, such as travel to a conference or the purchase of equipment. Fill out the appropriate form (Travel Expense Form, Purchase Order, etc) and forward it to Joanne Ferguson in Dowling Hall. Attach a note stating that you would like these funds to be taken from your Writing Workshop account. In some cases, it would be helpful to explain briefly how the expense is related to your research.

Contact information for Joanne Ferguson:
Joanne Ferguson
Undergraduate Education
Dowling Hall
Medford Campus
(617) 627-4239
Joanne.Ferguson@tufts.edu 

Course "Released" Time as alternative to Research Fund:

After teaching three fully-enrolled Writing Workshops, you may be eligible to take one course release, if approved by your Department Chairperson. The WAC funds for those three courses (in the amount of $4500) will go to your department for course replacement costs and will not be available to you for research expenses. If you intend to take a course release instead of the WAC Research Fund, please contact Joanne Ferguson (627-4239) to let her know to reserve your WAC funds for this purpose.

• The course release option is available at the discretion of your department chair. You will need to arrange the course release with your department, and you will need to schedule it two full semesters in advance.
• Part-time lecturers are NOT eligible to take course release time through WAC.
• "Course release" means that a faculty member may be relieved from teaching one course per semester.
• WAC release time may not be combined with course releases earned in another way to excuse faculty from all teaching responsibilities during a given semester.
• Faculty may take one WAC course release per academic year.
• During the semester in which you take your one course release, your non-teaching duties (advising, committee work, etc) will remain the same.

How to Arrange a WAC Course Release:

• First, gain the permission of your department chair, then contact Joanne Ferguson well in advance to verify that you are eligible.
• Your department will receive $4500 from WAC toward replacement costs. Any discrepancy between this amount and the cost of course replacement must be funded from other sources.

Contact information for Joanne Ferguson:
Joanne Ferguson
Undergraduate Education
Dowling Hall
Medford Campus
(617) 627-4239
Joanne.Ferguson@tufts.edu