Clemson University offers voluntary retirement, separation incentives
July 12, 2010
CLEMS0N, SC – July 12, 2010 – Clemson University is offering two incentives — voluntary retirement or voluntary separation — to eligible employees to help manage state funding cuts to its Public Service Activities division.
A voluntary retirement incentive program and a voluntary separation program are being offered to eligible faculty and staff members in the Public Service Activities (PSA) division; the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; and the College of Health, Education and Human Development.
Clemson’s human resources staff will send letters this week to all faculty and staff members who are eligible. A dedicated website with detailed eligibility information and frequently asked questions is available at www.clemson.edu/employment/budget/.
State funding for Public Service Activities (PSA) programs was cut by $6.6 million on July 1, an 18 percent reduction that has been partially offset with $2.6 million in one-time federal stimulus funds. Since June 2008, PSA’s state appropriation has been cut by $24 million — a 46 percent reduction that means state funding is now the same dollar amount as in 1985, not adjusted for inflation.
“This difficult budget challenge is occurring at many land-grant universities around the country as all states deal with the impact of a global recession, and PSA is being treated no differently than other natural resources agencies in South Carolina,” said John Kelly, vice president for PSA. “Unfortunately, with the magnitude of this current budget cut — and additional cuts expected next fiscal year — there is no way to balance the budget without taking painful steps to reduce the number of employees funded by PSA. Response to these programs will determine the extent to which non-voluntary measures, such as a reduction-in-force, will be necessary.”
The incentive programs are part of a strategic plan to cut costs, increase non-state revenues and shift all remaining state dollars in PSA to core agriculture and natural resources research, Extension and regulatory programs. The plan was developed after receiving input from key constituents, including College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences faculty and staff members; the Extension Visioning Task Force; Extension Senate and State Advisory Council; and the S.C. Farm Bureau and agricultural commodity groups.
