Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to questions regarding the Voluntary Separation or Retirement Program (VSRP). If you need assistance with any other questions, please contact The Office of Human Resources at FacultyVSRP@ysu.edu.
Will the submission of an intent to retire at a future date be sufficient to qualify for the sick leave conversion payout at retirement?
No. To receive the sick leave conversion payout, an individual retiring from the STRS retirement plan must be eligible and apply to STRS for retirement benefits while still a YSU employee. An individual can choose to delay applying for STRS retirement benefits after terminating their Youngstown State University (YSU or University) employment but will not be eligible to receive a sick leave conversion payout. An individual in an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) must meet the STRS retirement eligibility criteria (please see Human Resources Benefits) to qualify for sick leave conversion payout at retirement (The 10 years of YSU or State of Ohio service applies whether an individual is retiring from STRS or an ARP).
If one applies for the VSRP and applies for STRS retirement and is accepted, is it possible to defer the sick leave conversion pay out to a later calendar year for tax purposes or must it be requested and paid out within a prescribed and limited number of days of separation and STRS retirement?
No, sick leave conversion payout cannot be deferred. To receive the sick leave conversion payout, an individual retiring from the STRS retirement plan must be eligible and apply to STRS for retirement benefits while still a YSU employee. Please see the question and response above for additional information.
If one participates in the Faculty VSRP are they retiring or separating?
To be considered to be “retired”, YSU requires that the employee meet the criteria under OPERS or STRS for retirement and be eligible to receive retirement benefits. This applies whether you are enrolled in OPERS, STRS or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP). If these criteria and eligibility requirements are not met, an individual is separating from the University.
For more information on retirement criteria please see the Human Resources Benefits
Please also see:
STRS OHIO (State Teachers Retirement System)
STRS Reemployment/Employment After Retirement
What is the status of a faculty member who applies for the VSRP Program and is not accepted?
When a faculty member is eligible, applies for, and is not accepted into the VSRP Program, the non-acceptance by YSU results in an automatic withdrawal of the faculty member’s resignation.
What happens if I submit the VSRP Release and Waiver Agreement with my Application Form and/or Beneficiary Form?
A Release and Waiver Agreement which is submitted with either an Application Form and/or Beneficiary Designation Form (between January 11, 2024, and 5pm EST on January 25, 2024), is not properly submitted and cannot be accepted with the Application Form and/or Beneficiary Designation Form. Please refer to the VSRP Information Packet for the proper timing for submission of the Release and Waiver Agreement.
A faculty member who has applied for and been accepted into the VSRP Program and then fails to submit the Release and Waiver Agreement during the appropriate submission periods, shall be considered to have resigned from Youngstown State University but will not be eligible for the benefits of the VSRP Program.
I am considering the VSRP available to faculty in designated majors with all faculty being on the deferred 24-pay option and do not teach in the summer. What will be my last day of employment with YSU? Will I be paid the remainder of my deferred pay balance?
The last day worked for an eligible faculty member who is accepted into the VSRP Program and does not teach in the summer would be May 19, 2024.
You will be paid the remainder of your deferred pay balance upon separation from the University.
If I am approved for the VSRP and retire, and then I am re-hired, am I still eligible to accumulate sick leave and be eligible for sick leave conversion payout?
VSRP program participants must be reviewed and approved by administration prior to rehire. An approved re-hired VSRP faculty member may accrue and use sick leave. However, a faculty member who received sick leave conversion payout pursuant to Article 18, cannot also receive a subsequent sick leave conversion payout.
Is there an age limit or time limit for choosing separation or retirement?
The VSRP Program has no age requirement or limit. Please review the Retirement Plans information on the Human Resources Benefits webpage for more information on eligibility for retirement, see HR Benefits.
The deadline to submit an application for the VSRP Program is 5pm EST on January 25, 2024.
For individuals who have funds going into flex-save, will those funds be eligible to be received?
Employees have 90 days from their separation date from the University to use their flex-save monies. Any monies not used within 90 days are forfeited.
Are retiree beneficiaries eligible for tuition remission?
Retirees and their dependents are eligible for fee remission pursuant to Article 31.4.
What is the application submission date?
The period to apply to participate in the 2024 VSRP begins on January 11, 2024, and applications must be completed and returned by 5:00 pm EST January 25, 2024.
How can I return my application?
Applications can be submitted by email at FacutyVSRP@ysu.edu or hand-delivered to the Office of Human Resources c/o Jennifer Lewis-Aey, Tod Hall Room 359.
If I apply, will I be automatically approved for the program?
No. Approval for participation in the program is not automatic and is within the discretion of the University.
What happens when I apply?
When you apply for the VSRP program you are informing the University that you wish to be considered for acceptance into the VSRP Program. If the University accepts you into the VSRP program, you will be separated from the University following the completion of your Spring, Summer 1, Summer 2 or Full-Summer duties.
Can I apply if I have been approved for Faculty Improvement (FIL) or Sabbatical Leave or any other type of leave during the 2023-2024 academic year?
Yes, faculty in the designated majors can apply for the VSRP, and your approved FIL or Sabbatical Leave will not be affected. Faculty are still required to comply with the report requirements of Article 6.8.
What if I change my mind and want to rescind my VSRP Application?
If you submit a VSRP Application Form, and then decide you do not want to separate from the University, you may rescind your VSRP Application Form. If you decide you want to rescind your VSRP Application Form, you must do so by the earlier of the following dates:
- 3 days after you submitted, and the University received your VSRP Application Form;
- or 5:00 p.m. EST on January 25, 2024.
How do I rescind my VSRP Application?
If you decide to rescind your VSRP Application Form, you must contact Jennifer Lewis-Aey, Executive Director and Chief Human Resources Officer in writing at FacultyVSRP@ysu.edu by the above listed dates.
How can I get information on my 9-month base rate of pay?
If you need information on the amount of your 9-month base rate of pay, you can request base pay information by sending an email to FacultyVSRP@ysu.edu or by emailing your request to Megan Massaro at mlmassaro@ysu.edu or Jennifer Lewis-Aey at jjlewis02@ysu.edu
When will YSU decide on my application?
The University will review and either approve or deny every application to participate in the Program. The University’s determination will be in its sole discretion based on the University’s academic and instructional needs. The University will notify all faculty members who apply to the VSRP via their University-issued email of its determination by January 29, 2024.
How will I know if I have been approved to participate in the program?
By January 29, 2024, The University will notify all VSRP applicants via their YSU-issued email if their application to participate has been approved or denied.
If I am approved to participate in the program, what will be my date of my separation?
If you have not committed to teach at YSU for any Summer 2024 Semester, your date of separation from YSU will be May 19, 2024. If you have committed to teach at YSU for the 2024 Summer 1 Semester (Summer 1 Faculty), your date of separation from YSU will be June 30, 2024. If you have committed to teach at YSU for the full-term 2024 Summer Semesters or for the 2024 Summer 2 Semester (Summer 2 or Full-Term Summer Faculty), your date of separation from YSU will be August 17, 2024.
Please be advised that if you submit a VSRP Application Form, and your application is approved by the University, this means the University has accepted your application to separate from the University on your Separation Date.
How will the date of separation impact my YSU healthcare coverage?
If you are enrolled in YSU’s group health plan at the time of your separation, your coverage will end on the last day of the month which includes your Separation Date. For Spring Faculty, your coverage will end on May 31, 2024. For Summer 1 Faculty, your coverage will end on June 30, 2024. For Summer 2 and Full-Term Summer Faculty, your coverage will end on August 31, 2024.
You are eligible to continue coverage for you and your covered dependents for up to 18 months under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). For Spring Faculty, if you elect COBRA, your COBRA coverage will begin on June 1, 2024. For Summer 1 Faculty, if you elect COBRA, your COBRA coverage will begin on July 1, 2024. For Summer 2 and Full-Term Summer Faculty, if you elect COBRA, your COBRA coverage will begin on September 1, 2024.
When do I have to submit the Release and Waiver Agreement?
The University will provide accepted faculty with a Release and Waiver Agreement. The required submission deadline in 2024 is as follows: For Spring Faculty May 20, 2024 through May 24, 2024 5:00pm EST; for Summer 1 Faculty July 1, 2024 through July 5, 2024 5:00pm EST; and for Summer 2 or Full-Term Summer Faculty August 19, 2024 through August 23, 2024 5:00pm EST.
How do I submit a Release and Waiver Agreement?
Submit your Release and Waiver Agreement[s] via email at FacultyVSRP@ysu.edu or by hand-delivery to the Office of Human Resources c/o Jennifer Lewis-Aey, Tod Hall Room 359.
What if I do not submit the Release and Waiver Agreement or revoke the Release and Waiver Agreement after I have been approved to participate in the RSVP Program?
You will still be required to separate from YSU on your separation date, but you will not be eligible for benefits under the VSRP Program.
Can I participate in the program and also choose to retire?
Yes. You may apply for retirement benefits from STRS (faculty) or an ARP account. To be considered to be “retired”, Youngstown State University requires that you meet the criteria under STRS for retirement and be eligible to receive retirement benefits. This applies whether you are enrolled in STRS or an Alternative Retirement Plan.
Please review the Retirement Plans information on the Human Resources Benefits webpage for more information on eligibility for retirement HR Benefits.
If I retire and participate in the program, does this affect whether I receive benefits under Article 18 of the YSU/YSU-OEA Agreement?
No. A faculty member who retires and participates in the VSRP Program is eligible for retiree benefits pursuant to Article 18 of the YSU/YSU-OEA Agreement, including sick leave conversion. A member of the bargaining unit who at the time of retirement has completed ten (10) or more years of active service with the University or a combination of ten (10) or more years with the University together with other State of Ohio units, as specified by law, shall receive sick leave conversion payment.
Are sick leave conversion payments included in the VSRP Benefits program?
No. However, sick leave conversion is available to faculty who meet the criteria for sick leave conversion pursuant to Article 18 of the collective bargaining agreement.
Individuals who are not eligible for sick leave conversion payout may transfer their sick leave hours upon employment with another Ohio public institution. The amount and acceptance of sick leave hours is determined by each Ohio public employers’ policies regarding sick leave acceptance.
I am a department chairperson, am I eligible to participate in the program?
No.
I have previously submitted my intention to separate or retire from employment with YSU and my separation or retirement has been accepted prior to the initiation of the VSRP. Can I still participate in the VSRP?
No. Faculty who have already submitted their intent to separate from the University, including retirement, are not eligible to participate in the program.