Update on UW-Green Bay’s VSIP status

The Green Bay Press-Gazette has posted a story by reporter Patti Zarling about the status of UW-Green Bay’s Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP). A total of 29 senior employees accepted the buyouts, said Human Resources Director Sheryl Van Gruensven. The packages were offered to 158 employees (about one-quarter of the regular workforce) who met the eligibility criteria of age 55 or older with at least five years of service. Of those, 38 took the step of requesting that paperwork be drafted; the 29 who signed their agreements represent 18 percent of the total eligible. Departure dates range from this week through early January 2016, and Van Gruensven noted the positions reflect a range of jobs and employee categories across campus. UW-Green Bay officials say the VSIP departures should help balance the school’s budget and mitigate against any involuntary layoffs, but they decline to estimate the potential savings or discuss individual positions at this time. Decisions on whether vacant jobs will be eliminated, consolidated or re-staffed won’t begin to be finalized until after the 2015-17 state and UW System budgets are approved. Eight of the state’s 13 four-year universities are offering VSIP options. Read the P-G story.