Questions from Faculty and Staff

Category	Question	Answer
Scheduling	Can I take all my furlough days before December 31, 2020?	Half of furlough days can be scheduled in a consecutive fashion during the holiday break. The other half will be scheduled in the spring.
Scheduling	Can I take my furlough days when campus is closed for Christmas break?	Half of furlough days can be scheduled in a consecutive fashion during the holiday break. The other half will be scheduled in the spring
Workload	How is a furlough not a pay cut?	A furlough is a temporary reduction in salary. This measure is designed with the goal or avoiding permanent reductions or position eliminations.
Scheduling	I am planning to begin working half-time in January, and my salary will be 50% less in the second part of the fiscal year. How do I calculate how many days to take?	Furlough days will be tiered by salary levels. The Office of Human Resources is preparing communications to faculty and staff regarding furlough days needed by salary level.
Benefits Impact	How will my benefits be affected?	Health insurance coverage will remain unaffected. No contributions to PERSI or other retirement plans will be taken for time not worked. No vacation or sick leave hours will be earned for furlough days (since accruals are earned by hours worked).
Early Retirement	Are there any plans for early retirement incentives?	State code prohibits state agencies from paying financial incentives in early retirement programs, and the state of Idaho has informed us they will not approve an early retirement package for ISU.
Workload	How can faculty take furlough days without cancelling some class meeting times? Would giving students assignments instead of class meeting time to take furlough days be a way to minimize impact to students?	Faculty should consult with their department chairs and deans on scheduling furlough days in a manner that causes the least amount of disruption for students. For many units, it may make the most sense to have furlough days scheduled during academic breaks.
Scheduling	Can I take my furlough days in half-day increments?	Furlough days may be taken in full-day or half-day increments.
Tiers/Fairness	How did the Administrative Council decide on the tiered approach for furlough days?	The Administrative Council reviewed a number of options. The council decided that the tiered approach would realize needed financial savings while placing the greatest cost burden on higher-paid salary levels.
External Funding	For faculty who are partially funded by a clinical site, how will furloughs be applied?	Furloughs will be applied similarly to all employees, regardless of funding source.
Financial Impact	For out-of-state faculty (Alaska), has increased cost of living been factored into the amount of furlough days required?	All employees will need to take the same number of furlough days regardless of campus location.
Workload	Are we being asked to work for free?	Employees are relieved of responsibilities while on furlough. Faculty and staff should consult with their department chairs, deans and supervisors to determine the best way to schedule furlough days.
Benefits Impact	If we are hurt while performing job duties on furlough days, will University insurance still cover us?	Employees should not perform job duties or work on furlough days. Workers compensation coverage will continue if an employee is injured while working.
Vulnerable Populations	If an employee is a member of a vulnerable population, how do they document and receive special working accommodations for summer or fall?	Employees should consult with Disability Services and HR to discuss what is the right solution given specific health circumstances and essential job functions.
Scheduling	Are there limitations on when mandatory furlough days can be used? For example, can faculty	Fall or spring breaks may be an ideal time for many employees to schedule furlough days. All employees are encouraged to work within their area to minimize interruptions for students.
Financial Impact	Will workers deemed “essential” and working through this crisis be receiving hazard pay?	The State Division of Human Resources is considering a hazard pay policy for employees that are handling COVID-19 tests or samples, and for employees that are working with infected populations of the public. No actions are being considered at this time outside of those circumstances.
External Funding	Will there be special considerations for those who bring in money through external grants or teaching professional development courses?	All ISU employees will take furlough days based on the tiered schedule. The decision by leadership was to have all ISU employees treated equitably, regardless of funding source. There may be some very unique situations where a furlough is prohibited by the funding agency.
Workload	What is the role of the Faculty Senate in decision-making and planning?	The faculty senate chair and vice-chair sit on the University's Leadership council, which was the integral body in ISU's effort to set our FY21 budget. The initial furlough concept was vetted initially with the Leadership Council, and then throughout the process, the President and Provost kept in regular communication with the faculty senate chair during the plans development. Faculty Senate's chair and vice-chair has been, and is currently, working with Academic Affairs and HR to develop the implementation process for faculty furloughs. Their goal is to build a process that does not result in excessive administrative burden for faculty and provides flexibility for how they wish to utilize their furlough time. Process details about how employees can manage their furlough time will be shared prior to June 1.
Financial Impact	We still don’t know what fall enrollment will be. Could there be more furlough days or less as the situation evolves?	University leadership wanted to announce furlough plans as soon as possible so that employees can plan accordingly. University leadership could choose to modify furlough plans if fall enrollment data outcomes are positive. This is why we are asked to only take half of our furlough days in the fall semester.
Benefits Impact	Are there any educational reduced fee assistance options for employees who were attending school when their positions were eliminated due to budget cuts?	No, tuition reduction benefits eligibility is dependent upon an active employment status, just as it has been in the past when positions have been eliminated for various reasons.
Financial Impact	Will there be any changes to how compensatory time is handled?	The state has not announced any plans to change procedures for how compensatory time is handled.
Travel	What are policies for attending conferences this year?	University restrictions on travel have not been lifted at this time. Further guidance will be forthcoming when essential travel is authorized once again. If employees have questions or concerns regarding the business necessity of travel, they should contact their supervisor or the travel office.
External Funding	For faculty positions supported entirely by student professional fees, how will the salary be moved from the local account to another account within the University?	All ISU employees will take the same furlough days based on the tiered schedule, regardless of funding source. Salary savings from positions funded by professional fees can only be used by programs in a manner consistent with State Board of Education policies.
Scheduling	Many faculty on 9 month appointments are paid over 12 months (26 pay periods). How should furlough days be taken in these situations?	Furlough days have been prorated to the nearest half-day so that we do not disproportionately impact faculty by requiring them to take the same amount of furlough days during a 9 month period of time.
Benefits Impact	Can you tell us how ISU will handle the new FFCRA-Families First Coronavirus Response Act?	The COVID-19 web page has been updated with all new state and federal leave programs, including the FFCRA - https://www.isu.edu/coronavirus/employees/leave-of-absence/. Communications have been sent to campus to outline updated payroll instructions for anyone needing a leave of absence option under these new programs.
Financial Impact	What is the criteria you are using to decide who is selected for contract non-renewal?	Contract non-renewal decisions have been made based on multiple factors. However, the primary factor for FY 2020 non-renewal decisions was budget-driven.