Message from President Cook 2/8/2024

February 8, 2024

Dear Colleagues,

I hope all of you are enjoying a productive semester. As we forge ahead, NDSU continues its transformative journey, reshaping our educational delivery methods and experiences for our students. Many of you are implementing innovative processes and programs aimed at increasing enrollment and positioning NDSU for sustained success. Your tireless efforts in attracting and retaining students are deeply valued.

We continue to monitor the financial challenges facing NDSU and are actively working to address them. Our strategy entails carefully balancing investments and plans for growth with uncertainties surrounding student enrollment forecasts and the budget. We are taking proactive steps by making the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) available for eligible employees in the 0000 and tenured faculty job bands.

Staff are not eligible for this round of VSIP. Previous reductions have left many critical staff areas lean. Capacity will be considered in the review and approval of current VSIP applications.

The VSIP is designed to assist eligible employees in planning for their future while also enabling the university to realize some cost savings. It's important to note that at this time, the VSIP is not part of a broader plan for reductions or across-the-board cuts. Rather, it is one of several approaches we are taking to get ahead of our challenges through this fiscal year and as we plan for the next biennium.

Some information on eligibility and timeline is provided below:

• This incentive will be available to job bands 0000 and tenured faculty.
• Applicants must have been hired by NDSU prior to January 1, 2017.
• For consideration, applications should be submitted by 5:00 p.m. March 1, 2024
• Applicants will be notified of VSIP final decisions by March 8, 2024.

Please visit the Human Resources website for the following information: VSIP Eligibility & Guidelines, VSIP FAQs, and the VSIP Application. Eligible employees will receive a follow up to this message from Human Resources. Please direct any questions to Mark Genkinger (mark.genkinger@ndsu.edu), Director of Human Resources.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your ongoing commitment to find ways to set up our students and NDSU for success.

Thank you,

David Cook, President