VANCOUVER – The Board of Regents of WSU approved a voluntary retirement incentive plan for some employees, and approved housing and dining and apartment rental rates for next academic year.
The regents took action during their regularly scheduled meeting Friday at WSU Vancouver.
The voluntary retirement incentive plan is being offered to WSU employees who are members of retirement plans administered by the Department of Retirement Systems, such as PERS, TRS and LEOFF.
To be eligible, an employee must have been employed by WSU for at least 10 years, must have been eligible for normal retirement for at least 12 months under their retirement plan and must be a permanent employee.
WSU estimates that 114 employees university-wide are eligible to participate. DRS participants generally are staff who fall under the state’s civil service system.
Under the plan, WSU will make a one-time before-tax payment of $23,270 to an eligible employee, which will, on average, yield approximately $18,000 of after-tax benefit. Eligible employees will be able to apply from Feb. 15 to May 15 and must separate employment by June 30.
More information about the plan is available at the Human Resource Services website.
The approved rates for residence halls and dining services reflect a 3.5 percent increase over the current academic year. The new rates will only be charged to students entering the residence hall system. Returning students are locked in at the rate that was in effect when they first moved into the halls.
The average cost of a double room and a level two dining plan will be $8,742 for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Rents in university apartments will rise six percent next year. Part of that increase is a result of the university installing cable internet modems in the apartment complexes to upgrade internet access. Previously, residents had to make their own arrangements for internet service – the service will now be part of the monthly bill.
The housing and dining rates were approved earlier by the Housing and Dining Advisory Board, made up of students and administrators who unanimously supported the proposal.
Regents also approved a project to refurbish the interiors of Regents and Scott/Coman Residence Halls and reroof Regents and Scott Hall. The $6.1 million project will be paid for through Housing and Dining Services revenue and is part of the university’s continuing effort to upgrade student housing on the Pullman campus. The university plans to complete the work over this summer and have it completed when the students return in August.
Regents also approved a project to refurbish the interiors of Regents and Scott/Coman Residence Halls and reroof Regents and Scott Hall. The $6.1 million project will be paid for through Housing and Dining Services revenue and is part of the university’s continuing effort to upgrade student housing on the Pullman campus. The university plans to complete the work over this summer and have it completed when the students return in August.
The board also moved several other renovation and construction projects forward.
The board approved schematic design plans for the Veterinary Medical Research Building, part of the research precinct along Stadium Way on the Pullman campus, and for the improvements and artificial turf installation on the Valley Road and Grimes Way playfield.
The research building will be funded through the issuance of bonds; the playfield improvements will be funded through the use of existing services and activities fee revenue, upon approval of the student-led services and activities fee board.
The board also approved an addition to the Consolidated Storage Building on Dairy Road and an exterior restoration on Bohler Gym, both on the Pullman campus.
The board’s next meeting will be March 26 at WSU Tri-Cities.