Stephen F. Austin State University

Dear Faculty and Staff:

As was announced on July 9, 2020, SFA has implemented a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) for eligible full-time faculty and staff for fiscal year 2021. Today, the SFA Board of Regents approved an action item limiting the participation in the program to a payout total not to exceed $2.5 million, which is estimated to accommodate approximately 79 participants in the VSIP. In order to remain transparent with budgetary constraints, I would like to share that the applications received to date, if approved, would utilize approximately 72% of the available budget for the program. SFA will review each request for consideration to participate in light of the university’s operational, accreditation and fiscal needs.

Also, in response to concerns regarding the university’s operational, accreditation and fiscal needs, I have eased the restrictions for retirees who wish to return to work for the university after they retire. The revised guidelines are as follows:

If I take the VSIP, can I be employed by the university in another role? (revised)

Employees who retire under this program and accept the incentive payout may not work at SFA in any capacity which exceeds 50% full-time equivalent (.50 FTE). ORP retirees are not subject to a specific break in service; however, TRS retirees are required to observe a break of one complete calendar month after their retirement date in order to have an effective retirement. If rehired, retirees will be compensated at the current prevailing rate for the position in which they are hired. Rehire requires approval of the appropriate vice president or division head for athletics, information technology or enrollment management.

The remainder of the program remains unchanged.

---

Information Sessions

Human Resources will be presenting “5-4-3-To Retirement” and holding Q&A sessions to provide an overview of the retirement process and answer questions about the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP). Employees within five years of retirement and those who are interested in VSIP are invited to attend.

• Wednesday, July 22, 2020, from 10 AM to Noon
• Thursday, July 23, 2020, from 2 PM to 4 PM

These sessions will be held in Business 167, with attendance overflow in Business 161. These sessions will also be offered via zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://sfasu.zoom.us/j/92881997636?pwd=NXc3RitZQU5hWUxONjhDbmRWeGkwZz09

Meeting ID: 928 8199 7636
Password: 216946

Please direct any questions about VSIP to benefits@sfasu.edu.

Thank you,

Scott Gordon
President