University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Furlough Plan
UMBC is faced with a budget deficit due to cuts in the FY'03 budget of general
funds received from the State. The University has taken significant actions to address
this unanticipated shortfall; however, additional measures are necessary.
A guiding principle has been to manage these cuts in ways that would minimize
impact on our employees and improve possibilities for maintaining job security
for them.
On February 21, 2003, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents adopted
a resolution authorizing institution presidents to implement furloughs of
University faculty and staff as a way to meet required budget reductions in
FY'03. UMBC waited for spring revenue estimates before determining that furloughs
on our campus would be necessary.UMBC's furlough plan complies with the Board of Regents' policy
and was crafted in consultation with our campus Senates and collective bargaining
unit. It will result in spending reductions of approximately $700,000.
UMBC will furlough selected employees during the week of Spring Break, which
is currently scheduled as two holidays, Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March
25, and the following three workdays. Two furlough days will occur on Wednesday,
March 26, and Thursday, March 27 for all regular and contingent II employees
who work half-time or more and are paid from unrestricted funds. A paid administrative
leave day will be granted on Friday, March 28 for those employees who are
furloughed and are earning less than $85,400. (approximately 90% of employees
subject to furlough). Faculty and staff earning at or above $85,400 (approximately
10% of furlough eligible employees) will be furloughed on Friday, March 28.
Approximately 700 UMBC workers will not be subject to furlough, including
contracted custodial workers, graduate assistants and hourly employees, including
almost all student employees.
UMBC will be open during the week; alternate arrangements will be made for
employees who are scheduled to work during a furlough period because their
services are essential or required for emergency situations. These employees
will be scheduled to take alternative furlough days no later than Friday,
April 18, 2003.
In summary, the calendar will be:
- Monday, March 24, 2003 - University Holiday
- Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - University Holiday
- Wednesday, March 26, 2003 - Furlough Day
- Thursday, March 27, 2003 - Furlough Day
- Friday, March 28, 2003 - Administrative Leave Day for Those Furloughed;
Furlough Day for Employees earning at or above $85,400.
Implementation Guidelines
1. Faculty and Staff (Regular and Contingent II) employed half-time (50%)
or more will be required to take furlough days.
2. Employees employed less than half-time (50%) and graduate assistants will
not be furloughed.
3. Employees not subject to furlough are not eligible for the administrative
leave day.
4. Contingent I and student employees should not be scheduled to work during
the furlough period. The funds will remain in the department to enable rescheduling
these employees at a later date.
5. In general, employees should not be permitted to be in their work areas
or to perform official duties during their period of furlough. Supervisors
may not direct employees to work nor should employees work on their own initiative
during that time.
6. The campus will be open, but minimally staffed during the week.
7. Alternate schedules will be made for employees who are scheduled to work
during a furlough period because their services are essential or required
for emergency situations. These employees will be scheduled to take alternative
furlough days no later than Friday, April 18, 2003.
8. If an employee is scheduled to work during a furlough period, the administrative
leave day granted during the furlough period to eligible employees must be
rescheduled and taken prior to June 30, 2003
9. Employees on or scheduled for leave during the period of furlough will
be assessed furlough days. Leave balances will NOT be affected.
10. In order to minimize the impact of furloughs on any particular paycheck,
the wages lost due to furlough days will be spread over 4 pay periods in FY'03:
Payroll #21 (Pay date April 25, 2003), Payroll #22 (Pay date May 9, 2003),
Payroll #24 (Pay date June 6, 2003), Payroll #25 (Pay date June 20, 2003)
11. No overtime or compensatory time may be granted to compensate for loss
of the services of furloughed employees.
12. No paid leave may be used on or in lieu of the period of furlough.
13. Exempt employees may not work more than 40 hours per week during the pay
periods in which furlough deductions are made.
14. No classes will be canceled as a result of implementing the furlough plan.
15. No reduction of employee benefits (e.g. retirement, health, leave) will
result from the period of furlough.
16. All 9, 9 ½ and 10-month faculty salaries will be computed as 12 month
salaries for the purpose of decreasing pay for furlough days.
17. Faculty and staff on 100% restricted funds will not be furloughed. Faculty
and staff who receive part of their annual salary from grants or contracts
will be assessed furlough days based on the State-supported portion of their
salary.
** A "Frequently Asked Questions" website is available at
http://www.umbc.edu/facultystaff/furloughfaq.html. Questions may
also be referred to either the Office of Human Resources (x.52337) or the
Office of the Provost (x.52333), for faculty.
