UAlbany Budget Updates
Message from President Philip on Thu, Apr 1, 2010
To All Faculty and Staff:
In our recent conversations with many of you, Provost Phillips and I have received inquiries about possible retirement or separation packages, particularly given the likely imminent and substantial reductions in State funding for the University's 2010-11 budget and beyond. Some of these questions have been prompted by the knowledge that other SUNY campuses are offering severance payments to faculty and staff. While there are no discretionary non-State resources at UAlbany to allocate for such an option here, I want to share with you several other possible arrangements that might be useful in planning a mutually beneficial employment transition. These opportunities are available only to State employees, and the benefit impacts may differ depending on your bargaining unit. Our intention, however, is to support interest in serious dialogue with individuals who may be thinking about or open to opportunities for transitioning into a different status. The specific opportunities are described below. We ask interested persons to submit applications for all these opportunities by April 30.
Opportunities
1) Voluntary Leave Without Pay - Employees may apply for leave without pay (e.g., for extended weekends or periods during the summer). This opportunity helps to generate one-time salary savings for the University and is available to all staff and faculty. Applications are subject to approval by the employee's supervisor and applicable vice president. If you are interested in a voluntary leave without pay, please contact the designated resource person for your area identified at the end of this message.
2) "Title F Other Leave" - We are all familiar with sabbatical leaves. The Trustees' Policies also provide for "Other Leaves" in Title F (abbreviated here as TFOL). This opportunity is available only to members of the faculty and professional staff. TFOL may be at full or partial salary to pursue activities for professional development or for other purposes consistent with the needs and interests of the University. Unlike sabbatical leaves, there is no obligation to return to the University following a TFOL. TFOLs of up to one semester (six months for professional employees) will be considered for individuals proposing a defined program of activities leading to retirement or resignation from State service. Applications must describe the purpose for the leave, its proposed duration, and its value to the applicant and the University. If you are interested in a TFOL, I invite you to contact the designated resource person for your area identified at the end of this message.
3) Reduction in Obligation - Several faculty and staff have inquired about the possibility of reducing their obligation over time before retiring. In response to this idea, for the next two years we will consider proposals for a phased transition to retirement or resignation.
The transition period can be for one or two years (e.g., 50% in year one, 25% in year two, retirement or resignation by the end of year two), or over shorter periods. There would be a commensurate reduction in duties and salary during the transition period. This is a pre-retirement option. The duties and support requirements for the transition period will be individually negotiated with the applicable dean or director and approved by the Provost or Vice President (for individuals outside of Academic Affairs). If you are interested in this kind of reduction in obligation, please contact the designated resource person for your area identified at the end of this message.
4) O'Leary Professorship - UAlbany has created a special professorship
to honor selected members of the teaching faculty. This is a post-retirement opportunity named for Vincent O'Leary, UAlbany's 14th President. O'Leary Professors hold a special assignment for up to three years following retirement, allowing the University to retain the important experience and contributions of these valued colleagues while also enabling them to adjust the level of their responsibilities. O'Leary Professors may contribute to the University's research, teaching, and service missions in accordance with an individual agreement negotiated annually with the applicable dean and subject to approval by the Provost. In addition, O'Leary Professors may enjoy a special assigned obligation; participation in directing masters theses and doctoral dissertations as appropriate; eligibility for available travel funds; e-mail, fax, and phone services as well as parking, library, and athletic facilities privileges; and office space appropriate to the continuing assignment. The duration of the appointment (one, two, or three years) depends on the post-retirement assignment. O'Leary Professors may be compensated up to 25% of the appointee's final academic year salary, not to exceed the maximum permitted by the laws governing retirement earnings. At the end of the term of appointment, O'Leary Professors continue in emeritus status at the rank of retirement. Emeritus faculty continue to have the opportunity to teach at least one course each year by mutual agreement with the University and to enjoy designated University privileges and space, as available. Individuals interested in exploring the possibility of an O'Leary Professorship should contact their dean.
5) Other Ideas - Lastly, let this be an invitation for many conversations, including consideration of other ideas you may have in this area. I invite you to share your ideas with your dean or vice president.
For Further Information
You will find more detailed information about the benefits implications of each of these opportunities on a web-page created by the Office of Payroll and Benefits (http://hr.albany.edu/content/benefits.asp)
In addition, I invite you to contact the following designated individuals with questions.
Designated Program Contacts
College of Arts and Sciences, Mr. Steven Galime
School of Business, Dean Donald Siegel
College of Computing and Information, Dean Peter Bloniarz
School of Criminal Justice, Ms. Andrea Lawrence
School of Education, Ms. Mary Murphy
Rockefeller College, Dean Jeffrey Straussman
School of Public Health, Dean Philip Nasca
School of Social Welfare, Ms. Diane Brauner
University Libraries, Dean Mary Casserly
Enrollment Management, Vice Provost Wayne Locust
Other Academic Affairs Units, Associate Vice President William Hedberg
Athletics, Vice President Lee McElroy
Communication and Marketing, Vice President Catherine Herman
Development, Vice President Fardin Sanai
Finance and Business, Interim Vice President Stephen Beditz
Information Technology, CIO Christine Haile
Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Associate Vice President Rhonda Haines
President's Office, Chief of Staff Vincent Delio
Research, Interim Vice President James Dias
Student Success, Ms. Cynthia Brady
Sincerely yours,
George M. Philip
President
