TO: All Employees
FR: Joyce Lopes, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration and Finance
As we begin another semester during these unprecedented times, we are hopeful for better days ahead. With the release of COVID-19 vaccines, the Continuity Team is diligently working on repopulation plans with the safety and well-being of all of our employees and students as the highest priority. We eagerly anticipate a day soon when we can all see each other on campus on a daily basis. Thank you for your resilience and dedication to Sonoma State University during this pandemic. It has been truly inspiring to witness how we have come together to support one another.
COVID-19 and reduced student enrollment have created budget challenges that require consideration of creative solutions in order to best serve our students while being fiscally prudent. President Sakaki and the Cabinet have agreed to offer a voluntary Early Exit Program (EEP) for SSU CalPERS retirement eligible employees. The EEP will provide a severance package to employees who elect to participate and will provide the campus with the opportunity to reorganize positions and reduce our base budget.
Our goal is to provide a detailed announcement including eligibility criteria by March 1, 2021. We have provided notice to the unions and will be discussing the proposed terms and conditions of the EEP to ensure we have agreement with each bargaining unit.
Although retirement will not be required to participate in the EEP, it is important that you understand your options while you consider this program. To that end, Trisha Ramos, Managing Director of Payroll, Benefits and Workers’ Compensation will be offering Understanding Your CalPERS Retirement Workshop on the following dates:
March 19, 2021 (12pm - 1:30pm)
April 8, 2021 (12pm - 1:30pm)
April 15, 2021 (12pm - 1:30pm)
More workshops will be scheduled as needed. These will be open to all employees, regardless of participation or eligibility in the EEP. Please email trisha.ramos@sonoma.edu to register. If you are unable to attend one of the SSU retirement workshops, please take advantage of CalPERS offered member education.
We thought it was important to share this preliminary information to give you the opportunity to consider this option. Stay tuned for additional details to be provided in the near future.