Furlough Information Page

August 13, 2009

To the University Community:

You are all aware of the continuing challenges in the Ohio economy and the effects on higher education funding. In the new biennial operating budget signed by the Governor in July, funding was reduced for colleges and universities at the very end of the budget process. The state's core support for higher education, State Share of Instruction (SSI), was decreased by $163,878,080. We have not received specific details about the implications for BGSU from the Ohio Board of Regents, but we expect that the cuts in SSI will be substantial. We must continue to take steps to bring our budget in line with the new fiscal realities.

As you know, unpaid furloughs for some faculty and staff have been one of the cost-cutting measures under consideration. In fact, the idea was submitted multiple times to our Great Ideas website. After significant review and discussion of various options, we have decided to implement unpaid furloughs for this fiscal year for all full-time 12-month staff, faculty administrators, and library faculty who will earn $50,000 or more in base salary as of August 24, 2009. We anticipate that this will affect about 500 employees.

The savings to the university are considerable and will be invested in enrollment initiatives that have the potential for improving resources in future years. We expect the furlough plan to result in one-time cost savings of about $800,000 in salary and retirement contributions.
Accrual of vacation and sick leave will not be affected.

Beginning Sept. 1 and until June 30, 2010:

* Those employees who earn from $50,000 to $74,999 will be required to take three furlough days.

* Those earning from $75,000 to $99,999 must take five furlough days.

* Those earning $100,000 and above must take seven furlough days.

We have developed two options for taking the furlough days: a personal choice approach and a "standard" approach. The Office of Human Resources will notify employees affected by the furlough and they will receive detailed information about their options on Monday August 17th. Three open forums are also planned to address questions and concerns. Employees may not work on their furlough days. However, the members of the President's Cabinet have decided to take some of the scheduled paid University holidays, such as Thanksgiving, as their furlough days to minimize the impact on operations. I will take all seven of my furlough days as unpaid holidays.

This was not an easy decision. We have been talking with other institutions throughout Ohio and know that many others are considering furloughs. Individuals that work for Ohio government agencies are experiencing more severe furloughs and their agency budgets have been cut much more significantly than ours. The University of Toledo announced on August 6, 2009 that they are planning university-wide furloughs but have not yet determined the details.

In many ways, we will be leading the way for our colleagues around the state and we have been diligent about thinking through various furlough options as well as the logistics of implementation. Even though we are not alone in taking this step, I understand that it will mean that those who are affected are making significant sacrifices to help BGSU deal with these fiscal realities. We also appreciate the sacrifices being made by those not directly affected by this announcement.

I believe that these steps will strengthen us for the long term.
Thank you for your understanding and continuing support for our mission.

Sincerely
Dr. Carol A. Cartwright
President, BGSU

Furlough FAQs

Informational Sessions for Non-Voluntary Furlough Program 

Bowling Green Campus: Tuesday, August 18, 3:00 pm,  College Park Office Building room 1
                                              Thursday, August 27, 9:00 am, College Park Office Building room 1

Firelands Campus:           Thursday, August 27, 1:30 pm, Foundation Hall room 105

For a Sample Furlough Time Reporting Sheet For Hourly Employees: HERE

For Blank forms click appropriate link below:

    3 Day Hourly
    3 Day Salary
    5 Day Hourly
    5 Day Salary
    7 Day Salary