Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 26, 1994 TAG: 9404260123
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The board's three-pronged program will offer severance packages to professors who may want to take early retirement, or whose departments or programs are being de-emphasized or phased out.
"This program is somewhat novel in higher education," said university Provost Fred Carlisle. "It will provide us with the flexibility needed to more quickly refocus resources to areas of higher need."
But whether professors will buy into the buyout is unclear.
One universitywide option would allow professors age 55 or older who have tenure or 10 years of experience to leave and take up to a year's pay. They could be paid in a lump sum or have payments spread over a year or two. Faculty have until Jan. 15, 1995, to apply for the plan, and must retire or resign by July 1, 1996, to take advantage of it.
The other two options cut to the heart of budget cutbacks and restructuring within the college.
One would apply to professors whose work is being de-emphasized as departments merge and lower-priority courses and programs are phased out. An example would be professors in the university's College of Education, which has had to find ways to cut $1.6 million from an $8 million budget.
Those professors would have the same options as the early-retirement takers, except they have an extra year to apply.
The final option would offer a quick out to tenured faculty targeted for layoffs. Those faculty could take up to 150 percent of their base salary and leave.
All three options, subject to approval by the state attorney general, apply only to tenured faculty, a provision likely to prompt negotiation between the university and individual professors.
Under university policy, a tenured professor targeted for a layoff is guaranteed five years of employment once notified. But this plan would ask him to take only a fraction of that pay to leave.
"It's like being laid off with a year's salary; that's the way I would look at it," said David DeWolf, president of the faculty Senate. DeWolf, 59, said he wouldn't be interested in the plan if it were applied to him.
But among professors who feel their efforts aren't looked upon with as much importance nowadays, the program may find some takers, the university hopes. According to the plan, it must be agreed upon by both parties
"If it's mutually acceptable, that's a totally different thing," DeWolf said. He said the faculty in general wasn't overly happy with the plan, but that it may be gaining acceptance. Professors may be willing to take a second look.
by CNB