Employee Resources

Professional DevelopmentAdjunct FacultyLinks
Professional Development Funds

Professional Development Funds for GCC Employees

Anyone currently employed full- or part-time by Greenfield Community College, by the GCC Foundation, or currently employed by vendors contracted by the college to provide regular, on-going services may request professional development funds from the College by submitting the form below along with any applicable documentation as directed on the form to the Office of Human Resources by the deadline specified.

Professional Development Providers

Academic Career Network

The Academic Career Network is comprised of more than 40 colleges and universities surrounding the Amherst, MA region. The network was designed to assist the partners and spouses of newly hired employees in the network area to also find employment. The Academic Career Network is not a job board however there is a link on their website to a map of the network area that has pins on each of the member institutions linking to that institution’s online job board.

University of Massachusetts Graduate School

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has offered graduate study since 1896, awarding more than 14,200 doctoral and 49,700 master’s degrees. With a Graduate Faculty of 1,400, the Amherst campus is the major research institution in the Five-Campus University System and offers 47 programs leading to a doctorate and 76 programs toward a master’s degree.

UMass Amherst HELM Certificate Program

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst offers a 15-credit graduate certificate program in Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM). Designed for future leaders in Higher Education who would benefit from the leadership training but don’t require the advanced degree, this program is ideal for those who already possess a terminal degree or are in a higher education field that doesn’t necessarily require an advanced degree.

Northeastern University – Community College Faculty/Staff Scholarship Program

MA Community College faculty and staff matriculating in any Northeastern University undergraduate, certificate, or graduate program is eligible to receive a Community College Scholarship equal to 25% reduction of the per credit tuition charge through the completion of the program of study with a seven year maximum from the date of enrollment. A list of graduate degrees offered by Northeastern can be viewed here.

Ethics & Other Training

State-Mandated Ethics Training

The Ethics Reform Bill and the State Ethics Commission’s enabling act include mandatory education and training requirements for full- and part-time public employees at every level of government.

Every state employee must complete an online training program within 30 days of hire and every 2 years thereafter. The online training program that you should use to comply with the requirement is on the Commission’s website. You may use your home or office computers to access the online training program, and you may complete it during work hours.

The current online training program should take about half an hour to complete. Upon completion of the program, you should print out the completion certificate, keep a copy for yourself, and provide a copy to the Human Resources office.

Complete Ethics Training here

Everfi

Everfi provides self-paced, online learning material on various topics relevant to a non-residential college setting.

Topics include:

  • Preventing Discrimination and Sexual Violence for Faculty & Staff at non-residential institutions (see pertinent excerpts from the Community College System’s Affirmative Action plan)
  • Managing Bias
  • Clery Act Basics
  • Workplace Conduct
  • Diversity and Inclusion

Greenfield Community College (GCC) recognizes the valuable role you play as continuing education instructors in helping the College fulfill its mission to teach, in a small, supportive and intimate learning environment, the knowledge and skills necessary for our students to reach their highest potential. We seek to support your teaching efforts in whatever way we can and hope that your work experience at GCC is both pleasant and affirming.

More resources for adjuncts are available from Student & Academic Affairs.

DCE/MCCC Union

Membership in a union is voluntary. Accordingly, the decision to join a union is entirely yours. If you have questions about union membership, you may contact a union representative and/or visit the MCCC website.

MyGCC

Your faculty/Banner ID number will allow you to login to MyGCC where you will find your class lists, enter grades, etc. If you do not know your ID number, please contact your division office.

Part-time Job Opportunities

Employees seeking additional work opportunities are advised of the following:

Massachusetts G.L. c. 268A, s. 7 prohibits a current state employee from taking on an additional compensated position with the state unless an exception to the rule applies.  Specifically, the law provides that  “a state employee who has a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in a contract made by a state agency, in which the commonwealth or a state agency is an interested party, of which interest he has knowledge or has reason to know, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000, or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years, or in a jail or house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years, or both, unless an exception to the law applies.”  Therefore, unless an exception applies, current employees cannot hold a contract for an additional position with the state.

The typical exception used at the college permits a state employee to perform instructional services both within and outside of the traditional academic classroom setting at a state educational institution as well as services that are directly related to such instruction. Thus, services related to the development of curriculum, the selection and evaluation of teachers, course scheduling, and the advising of students in connection with courses would fall within the statutory exemption. On the other hand, purely administrative or custodial functions such as record-keeping and facility management do not qualify for the exemption. Also, any compensated duties should fall outside the normal work schedule (e.g., teaching DCE in the evening).

Unemployment Benefits & OBRA

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

When you separate from your employment at the College for seven or more days, you are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance benefits. For your convenience, following is the link to the unemployment benefits page: https://www.mass.gov/lwd/unemployment-insur/

You may also call 617-626-6560, press 331 after the greeting, and when asked to do so, enter the first five digits of your zip code for addresses of Walk-In Centers nearest you.

OBRA

OBRA is the mandatory Massachusetts Deferred Compensation SMART Plan (alternate retirement plan for part-time employees). For more information regarding withdrawal of your OBRA benefits, please contact the SMART Plan Service Center at 877-457-1900, or call Carrie Task in the Payroll Office at 413-775-1315.

The following is a list of contact people, important telephone numbers, and valuable links to various websites provided for College employees' benefit.

Union Stewards

MCCC/DCE

Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Board of Retirement

Group Insurance Commission (GIC)

Health Plan Options

Pharmacy Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts (HCSA/DCAP)

MetLife Dental

  • Managed by Health Plans, Inc.
  • Health Plans, Inc. login
  • Click on button beside "Your college or university employee ID" and use your 6-digit payroll ID#
  • Links to right of login area access detailed plan guide, plan overview, details on vision discount, and more.
  • Once logged in, members can print a plan ID card
  • (AFSCME Members - see union steward and/or www.mpefund.org for dental/vision benefits)

Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence

Social Security

  • Social Security Administration
  • SSA Windfall Elimination Provision Calculator - Get SS income estimates for yourself if you are eligible for a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security. Your benefit amount may be reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).
  • SSA Detailed Income Calculator - Get the most precise estimate of your retirement, disability and survivors benefits. Includes WEP reduction. Must be downloaded and installed on your computer. Mac version also available.
  • Online Application for Medicare – For retirees within 2 months of age 65 or older only. (See also Frequently Asked Questions Related to Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance … below for more information on turning 65.)

State Retirement System

SMART Plan