Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the questions you may have about the VSRP. If you need assistance with any other questions, please contact The Office of Human Resources at FacultyVSRP@ysu.edu.
May 10, 2021 Recent Faculty questions regarding the VSRP program:
I am a Senior Lecture and do not teach any summer courses. What category would that put me in?
You are a Spring and Summer 1 Faculty member if either (1) you have not committed to teaching at the University for the 2021 Summer Semesters; or (2) you have committed to teaching at the University for the 2021 Summer 1 Semester (but not the Summer 2 Semester). Summer 1 Faculty members will still teach during the Summer 1 Semester.
If the VSRP application is denied, can YSU use retrenchment to eliminate the position after the fall 2021 or do they have to wait until spring 2022.
The University may still choose to utilize Article 13, Retrenchment of Faculty in the fall of 2021 for an application which is denied.
If I am approved for the VSRP and retire, and then I am re-hired on a part-time basis, am I still considered to be retired and eligible for accumulate sick pay.
A part-time faculty member may accrue and use sick leave. However, a faculty member who received sick leave conversion payment pursuant to Article 18, cannot also receive a subsequent sick leave conversion payment.
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 on June 18, 2021.
For individuals who have funds going into flex-save, will those funds be eligible for 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 28.4.
What is the application submission date?
The period to apply to participate in the VSRP begins on May 3 and applications must be completed and returned by 5:00 pm EST on June 18, 2021.
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 Cynthia Kravitz, 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 YSU.
Can I apply if I have been approved for Faculty Improvement (FIL) or Sabbatical Leave or any other type of leave during the 2021-2022 academic year?
Yes. However, if you apply and are selected to participate in the VSRP Program, you will no longer be eligible for any 2021-2022 academic year leave.
Can I apply if I have been on Faculty Improvement or Sabbatical Leave or have been on any other type of leave during the 2020-2021 academic year?
Yes.
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.
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 resign 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 June 18, 2021.
How do I rescind my VSRP Application?
If you decide to rescind your VSRP Application Form, you must contact Cynthia A. Kravitz, Associate Vice President of Human Resources 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 Jennifer Lewis-Aey at jjlewis02@ysu.edu or Brandi Osborn at bosborn@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 June 30, 2021.
How will I know if I have been approved to participate in the program?
By June 30, 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 2021 Semester, or you have committed to teach at YSU for the 2021 Summer 1 Semester, your date of separation from YSU will be July 31, 2021. If you have committed to teach at YSU for the full-term 2021 Summer Semesters or for the 2021 Summer 2 Semester, your date of separation from YSU will be August 23, 2021.
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 and Summer 1 Faculty, your coverage will end on July 31, 2021. For Summer 2 and Full-Term Summer Faculty, your coverage will end on August 31, 2021.
You are eligible to continue coverage for you and your covered dependents under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) for up to 18 months. For Spring and Summer 1 Faculty, if you elect COBRA, your COBRA coverage will begin on August 1, 2021. For Summer 2 and Full-Term Summer Faculty, if you elect COBRA, your COBRA coverage will begin on September 1, 2021.
When do I have to submit the Release and Waiver Agreement?
For Spring and Summer 1 Semester Faculty you must sign and submit the Release and Waiver Agreement between July 26, 2021 and 5:00pm EST on July 30, 2021.
For Summer 2 and Full-Term Summer Semester Faculty you must sign and submit the Release and Waiver between August 23, 2021 and 5:00pm EST on August 25, 2021.
How do I submit the Release and Waiver Agreement?
Submit the Release and Waiver Agreement via email at FacultyVSRP@ysu.edu or by hand-delivery to the Office of Human Resources c/o Cynthia Kravitz, Tod Hall Room 359.
Can I revoke my Release and Waiver Agreement after I have submitted it?
Yes, you have seven calendar days after you submit the Release and Waiver Agreement to revoke your Release and Waiver Agreement.
If you decide to revoke your Release and Waiver Agreement, you must contact Cynthia A. Kravitz, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, in writing, at FacultyVSRP@ysu.edu to revoke your Release and Waiver Agreement within the seven-calendar day period. If you revoke your Release and Waiver Agreement, you will not be eligible for benefits under the VSRP. Additionally, you will still be required to separate from the University on your Separation Date.
The University will execute your signed and submitted Release and Waiver Agreement on or after your Separation Date and the Release and Waiver Agreement will be effective as of your Separation Date.
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. In order 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 payment 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.