Eau Claire gets statewide attention for ‘voluntary separation incentives’

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports UW-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt has announced that voluntary separation incentives will be offered to about 325 eligible faculty and staff. No other campuses have announced buyouts. Under the terms of the UW-Eau Claire offer, employees 55 and older with at least five years of service in select departments and units will be eligible to receive a one-time payment of 50 percent of their base salary. Participating departments were identified based on their potential for cost savings “and for the ability to redirect positions to focus on strategic university objectives,” Schmidt said. Administrators will review applications to determine who will be selected. The J-S reported that seven of 15 faculty in the political science department, for example, are eligible for the buyout. Said department chair Geoffrey Peterson, “If we can save some of our young, bright faculty and staff by convincing some people to retire a year early, that’s a great idea.” See the full story.