RATTLERS DOING BIG THINGS IN THE BIG CITY

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The Source Newsletter

 Vol. No. 5 

From the Desk of the President 

FAMU TO DISCUSS PAYOUT OPTION WITH UNIONS

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees(BOT) on Thursday, March 3 gave university attorneys the authorization to initiate discussions with the bargaining units that would allow for a one-time lump sum separation incentive for eligible employees.

After the unions are provided with the opportunity to weigh in on the proposal, the proposal would go before the BOT for consideration.

The proposed Voluntary Retirement Option (VRO) Plan was developed as a component of our restructuring and reinvesting report.

Based on the VRO proposal, an eligible employee must meet the following requirements:

Must be at least 62 years of age as of June 30, 2011;

Must have at least 30 years of creditable service with the State of Florida in a salaried/benefits eligible position; or have at least six years of such experience at FAMU, one year of which must have been immediately prior to April 15, 2011;

Must be employed in a 1.00 FTE (Full-Time Equivalency) position funded 100% by Education and General (E&G) Funds; and Must meet all eligibility requirements by the established deadline and must complete and submit all necessary enrollment documents as stipulated.

The following employees would be excluded from participation:  Employees who are currently or were previously enrolled in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP); Employees who have previously retired from the State of Florida; Employees who have received notice of termination, non-renewal, non-reappointment, or cancellation of employment; Other Personal Services (OPS) or temporary employees; and Employees whose resignation/retirement date precedes implementation of the VRO plan.

The lump-sum payment for employees within these categories will be equivalent to the current annual twelve-, ten- or nine-month base rate of pay, respectively, and FTE of the employee, less applicable employment taxes and other applicable deductions. The lumpsum payment shall exclude all summer semester and other forms of compensation.

The University will not make a retirement contribution to the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Payment, and will not include any health insurance or other employer paid benefits.

After separating from employment, the employee is eligible to receive an annual and/or sick leave pay out in accordance with University Regulations and Board of Trustees Policies applicable on the date of separation.

Employees who participate in the VRO are prohibited from returning to the University in a salaried/benefits eligible faculty or staff position for a minimum period of two calendar years after separation. The enrollment period for the VRO shall be from April 15, 2011, through June 15, 2011. To enroll in the VRO, completion of the enrollment process is required prior to 5 p.m. on June 15, 2011.

INTERIM DEAN APPOINTED FOR CESTA AND COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Makola Abdullah, former dean of the College of Engineering, Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA), recently informed Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Hughes Harris of his resignation from this position and acceptance of the position as provost at Florida Memorial University, effective March 4, 2011. Provost Harris has appointed Sam Donald as interim dean. Donald served as the Interim CESTA Dean for 17 months in 2007-08. He has a long-standing relationship with CESTA as a researcher and educator with extensive experiences in land-grant initiatives.

Also, C. J. “Marty” Chen, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering since 1992, resigned from his position as dean, effective February 15. John Collier, and FSU professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, will serve as the interim dean. Meanwhile, the provosts from FAMU and FSU are working together to select a search firm that will assist in the search for the next dean. Atty. Bishop Holifield, former general counsel at FAMU, and Larry Abele, former provost at FSU, will co-chair the search committee.

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