Question 1: Why is the decision to separate full-time staff necessary at this time?
Katrina has created challenges that are unmatched in the history of Tulane University and many difficult strategic decisions must be made to secure the university's future operations. As a result, Tulane University will be a smaller institution in terms of number of employees. The determination of which positions to retain is and will continue to be based on those operations which are mission critical and the employees necessary to staff them. This is a painful decision for the entire university community, but a necessary one to ensure that Tulane remains one of this country's premier institutions of higher education.
Question 2: What was the basis for eliminating part-time staff?
Our current and foreseeable operational status will not allow us to maintain our current levels of staffing. Tulane University is making strategic decisions about those activities that are essential to the university's future. The determination of which staff to retain is based on the mission critical needs of the University. Those employees who are exempt from this elimination because they are mission critical will be notified by their supervisor.
Question 3: Why did the university publish my separation on a website rather than communicate with me directly?
Direct and open communication between supervisor and direct reports is fundamental to employment relationships at Tulane. However, Katrina forced our staff and faculty to temporarily relocate throughout the country, sometimes to multiple locations. Given that our website has reached more than 90 percent of our employees, it continues to be the most effective and consistent way to communicate at this time.
Question 4: How are employees who have not registered on the university website going to learn of their employment status?
Our leadership team continues to use every means possible to locate their staff members including mailing letters to home addresses. Employees should also contact hr@tulane.edu to update their addresses.
Question 5: How many employees will lose their jobs as a result of this decision?
As of Nov. 15, 243 full time employees will be separated from the university. This number represents a small percentage of our total workforce and demonstrates our commitment to retain as many staff and faculty as possible.
Question 6: Will there likely be additional separations?
The university is continually evaluating its strategic position for the future. Additional reductions in the workforce may be necessary as a result of the decisions made to secure the university's future operations.
Question 7: When does the separation go into effect? How long will I continue to receive my paycheck?
The separation is effective November 15 for full time employees. The separation for part time employees is effective October 31. You will receive regular wages until that date. Upon separation, and with your final paycheck, you will be paid for all vacation accrued.
Question 8: What about my benefits, such as health insurance, retirement and the flexible spending plan?
A complete packet of information will be mailed to your home address about each of the benefits, including contact numbers. This information will also be posted on the Tulane website by October 24. The Human Resources staff and our benefits providers stand ready to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Question 9: Will I be eligible for rehire?
An employee who is separated from the university as a result of a strategic reduction in workforce will be considered for rehire as future employment openings occur.
Question 10: If I am rehired, will my eligibility for benefits (retirement account, tuition waiver, etc.) pick up where it left off?
In the event that the university can rehire you, your benefits eligibility will be determined at that time in accordance with the university benefits plan in place and the policy for eligibility.
Question 11: How will my separation from Tulane affect my eligibility for unemployment benefits?
Human Resources will submit separation information to the State of Louisiana 's Department of Labor. As long as you were separated in good standing, the university will not contest your application to receive unemployment benefits.
Question 12: Will Tulane provide me a positive employment reference in my search for another job?
The university has a long-standing policy of providing verification of employment, length of service and salary. A letter has been mailed to your home address that details the circumstances of this separation, and you are encouraged to share it with prospective employers who may have questions about your separation.
Question 13: What about personal references?
You are encouraged to contact your immediate supervisor as well as other university personnel with whom you worked on a regular basis. The Tulane e-mail system is active and we encourage you to use that as a means of communication.
Question 14: My child is enrolled in Tulane University and attends on a staff tuition waiver. Will this waiver be extended so s/he does not have to drop out of school during this difficult time?
Tuition waivers will be extended to students already enrolled so that students may complete their Tulane education as long as the student pursues full time continuous, uninterrupted enrollment at the university. Tuition waivers will be treated as taxable income, and the required documentation for dependents must be filed with the Office of Human Resources prior to each semester. Employees who have twenty-five years or more of service are subject to the Extended Tuition Waiver benefit as detailed in the Staff Handbook, which is available online at www.tulane.edu/~hr/staff_handbook.shtml.
Question 15: My office on campus contains personal belongings and my computer has some personal items on it. Will I be granted access to recover my belongings? What about returning Tulane property, keys and identification cards?
You will have the opportunity to recover your personal items and files as well as to return university property. As you know, Belfor is currently working full-time on the reconstruction of our campus to ensure that we can resume classes in January. We anticipate that we will be able to allow our employees phased access to the buildings in November. A schedule and detailed policy will be posted on the Tulane website as soon as it becomes available.
Question 16: What about my membership in the Tulane/Loyola Federal Credit Union?
You will be able to continue to use the Credit Union for your banking needs.
Question 17: What about my membership in the Reily Center ?
If your Reily membership was paid through payroll deduction, your payroll deductions ceased in September and your membership is effectively cancelled. If you prepaid your membership, you have membership for the length of your contract.
Question 18: I was a part-time employee and benefits-eligible. Will I receive my vacation accrual?
Yes, it will be included in your final pay.
Question 19: How long will my Tulane email account be functioning?
Your Tulane e-mail account will be discontinued as of November 15.
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