TO: University of Idaho Faculty and Staff
FROM: Scott Green, President
DATE: Nov. 22, 2019
SUBJECT: Voluntary Employee Separation Programs Offered
As I mentioned in a memo to all of you earlier this week, in addition to voluntary employee furlough, university leadership is offering two more voluntary options for staff and faculty to consider as we work to address our budget challenges.
Those who choose to participate in one of these incentive programs will be contributing toward reducing the $14 million deficit in FY20, and the projected additional $8 million deficit in FY21, for a total $22 million overall budget deficit.
Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP)
VSIP is an option for eligible employees to voluntarily separate from the university. This program is available to employees who have at least 10 years of consecutive service to the university without an already-approved resignation or retirement announcement. Employees who meet the VSIP requirements will receive 33 percent of his or her FY20 budgeted salary (from any source except ARES, FUR, IGS, WWAMI, WIMU-VetMed) in exchange for resignation. ARES includes Hatch, Smith-Lever, Multi-State Research, County Extension and State ARES funding. Employee separation payments would be made after the start of FY21..
Optional Retirement Incentive Program (ORIP)
The ORIP is available to employees who are 55 years of age or older, have worked at least 20 consecutive years for the university and do not have an approved retirement plan, among other criteria. This option pays a retiree 20 percent of his or her FY20 budgeted salary (from any source except ARES, FUR, IGS, WWAMI, WIMU-VetMed) annually for five years. ARES includes Hatch, Smith-Lever, Multi-State Research, County Extension and State ARES funding. Employee separation payments would be made after the start of FY21.
How to Apply
Both programs have specific criteria, eligibility and timelines. Applications for consideration for VSIP and ORIP are due Dec. 13, 2019, with the last day of work no later than June 26, 2020. An application is neither approval from the university to participate nor a commitment on behalf of the employee. An application begins the review process and is followed with a potential offer and a 45-day employee review period for the employee to consider the offer.
As you consider either of these options and assess whether they are right for you, we continue to work on other cost-saving strategies, including program prioritization on the academic side of the university, as well as budget reduction measures in our non-academic units.
There is no expectation or pressure that employees apply for these programs, but it is important to provide options for those of you who decide voluntary separation or retirement makes sense. We appreciate your hard work and leadership as we continue to unite in our purpose — bringing our expenses in line with our revenue and creating a sustainable financial model that will carry our great university well into the future.
If you have questions about this, please contact your supervisor or Human Resources at 208-885-3638.
Scott Green
President
president@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/president
