2020 Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) FAQs

The Program is available to regular full-time employees who will have three (3) or more years of full-time service with Kent State as of June 30, 2020. This includes faculty members, AFSCME-represented employees, and non-represented employees.
 

The plan is not available to part-time, temporary, or contracted employees; employees in positions supported by grant funding or those who have retired and have been subsequently rehired by the university.
 

For faculty members and non-represented employees, a payment equal to three (3) months of his or her Base Pay, plus an additional amount equal to the lesser of three (3) months of his or her Base Pay or $20,000.

For AFSCME-represented employees, a payment equal to eight (8) weeks of his or her Base Pay.

On May 11, 2020, an email was sent to eligible employees.  The email contains important information as well as how to access forms for participating.

If you did not receive an email containing this information and believe you are eligible, please contact Donna Sansonetti with Human Resources at 330-672-8333, or dsansone@kent.edu. 
 

Questions can be directed to hrweb@kent.edu. A human resources representative will get back to you.
 

The “Window Period” for eligible employee elections begins May 11, 2020 and ends June 1, 2020. For faculty members, the window period shall end on June 24, 2020. Late elections will not be accepted. An eligible employee may elect to participate in the Plan by signing and returning the following forms, which will be available beginning May 11, 2020. Forms can be completed securely and efficiently using the DocuSign process located on our VSIP resource page.  Forms may also be returned in person or via registered mail, or electronically before the end of the window period, June 1, 2020. For faculty members, all election forms must be received, or postmarked by June 24, 2020.

• “Release and Waiver of Claims Agreement”
• “Notice of Enrollment and Employee Information Form”
• “Benefit Payment Schedule Election”
• “Beneficiaries for Plan Payments” (optional)

If such documentation is not signed and returned within the Window Period, then the employee will not be able to participate.

For technical assistance with the DocuSign process, please CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SUPPORT TICKET.

Yes.  If all of the required documentation is signed and returned within the Window Period, the eligible employee shall have seven additional days from the date of signing the Enrollment and Waiver of Claims forms to revoke participation in the program.  A decision to revoke an election to participate in the Plan must be made in writing or email submitted to Human Resources Attn: Jack Witt, Heer Hall, KSU, Kent, OH, 44242, (hrweb@kent.edu) within the seven-day revocation period.
 

You can choose one of the following schedules to receive payment:

• A lump sum total payable on or about July 15, 2020;
• Six (6) monthly payments made on or about the 15th of the month, from July 15, 2020 through December 15, 2020; or
• Two (2) payments, made on or about July 15, 2020 and October 15, 2020.

You will make this election when you complete your VSIP election forms.

Sick leave will be paid out according to policy 6-11.1. If you are eligible for a payout of your sick time due to retirement the amount of sick leave you are eligible for, according to policy 6-11.1, is one-fourth of your balance up a maximum of 30 working days. You will need to complete the appropriate form to request a payout of your sick time. 
 

Yes. Per administrative policy 6-11.7, vacation payouts will be made during the next payroll disbursement after separation from the university. All who participate in the plan will receive their balance up to up to a maximum of three (3 times) their annual accrual rate according to policy 6-11.7. 
 

Eligible Employees that are not eligible for Medicare, will be eligible for the following healthcare benefits if the Eligible Employee chooses to continue group health benefits provided by the University, under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA):

• For non-represented and AFSCME-represented employees, the University shall pay the employer portion of the COBRA healthcare costs for a period of six (6) consecutive months beginning with the month following the Eligible Employee’s Exit Date.
• For faculty members, the University shall pay the employer portion of the COBRA healthcare costs for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months beginning with the month following the Eligible Employee’s Exit Date.

To receive this benefit, Eligible Employees must be enrolled in the University’s group healthcare coverage prior to electing participation in this Plan. They must also pay the employee portion of the COBRA healthcare costs during the six (or twelve) month period.

For specific questions related to healthcare benefits, contact the university benefits office at 330-672-3107 or benefits@kent.edu.
 

Employees participating in a Flex Spending Account have 30 days from their separation date to use available funds in their Flex Spending Account. For specific questions related to Flexible Spending benefits, contact the University Benefits office at 330-672-3107, or benefits@kent.edu.
 

All eligible employees will continue to receive the tuition waiver benefit for four (4) years following the employee’s exit date (e.g., June 30, 2020). 
For specific questions related to Tuition Waiver benefits, contact the university benefits office at 330-672-3107, or benefits@kent.edu.
 

Yes, but you must click on “Finish Later” under “Other Actions” within the DocuSign platform while you have the form open in order for it to save your progress. See question and answer # 16 (XVI) below if you need instructions for returning to your document. 
 

Yes, you can login to the DocuSign platform to view and track the status of your VSIP documents. To do so, follow these instructions:

• Navigate to the DocuSign webpage at https://www.docusign.com/ and select “Log In”
• Enter your full email address (including @kent.edu). This will redirect you to KSU’s login page
• Enter your Kent State username (you do not need to include @kent.edu)
• On the left, under “Overview”, you can access all active and completed documents. Click on a category to find and view your documents.
   

The payment will be taxed at the supplemental rate which is 22% for federal,3.5% for state, Medicare of 1.45% and local tax if you currently have it taken out. Retirement will not come out of the payment.

Kent State University does not determine eligibility for unemployment.  You can file for unemployment but should be aware that accepting a voluntary severance from employment with the University may disqualify an Employee from receipt of unemployment benefits pursuant to the provisions of the Ohio law as it constitutes a voluntary termination of employment without cause attributable to the employer.