Bill tightens rules on hiring, wages, travel
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filling new or vacant positions and creating new positions
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entering into new personal services agreements or contracts or contract amendments that increase costs
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purchasing equipment costing more than $5,000
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authorizing out-of-state travel or training
Over the next 12 months, until Feb. 18, 2010, there will be no salary or wage increases for faculty or AP positions. The legislation appears to apply to all fund types and does not provide a process to seek exemptions to this law. However, it likely will not apply to authorized and approved promotions. This section does not apply to civil service or bargaining unit employees. We are seeking clarification to the application of this requirement to nonstate funds.
Effective only from now until July 1, 2009:
- There will be no creation of new positions or filling of vacant positions on state funds except for those directly involved in the delivery of academic programs. This regulation appears to apply to all employee types.
- No personal services contracts on state funds will be allowed.
- Equipment purchases in excess of $5,000 on state funds will not be allowed.
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Out-of-state travel or training on state funds will not be allowed.
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All requests relating to employee positions should continue to be made via the online freeze system.In the rare case that an exemption for a position on state funds must be made, the WSU Budget Office will route the request from the WSU online system to OFM and ultimately Legislature for approval.The legislation suggests that 35 days will be required for legislative review and approval.
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Current searches under way are to be held in abeyance and reviewed under the new requirements.
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All requests relating to out-of-state travel should continue to be made via the online system. In the rare case that an exemption for out-of-state travel on state funds must be made, the WSU Budget Office will route the request from the WSU online system to OFM and ultimately Legislature for approval. As noted above, the legislation suggests that 35 days will be required for legislative review and approval.
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WSU Purchasing Services will monitor the new restrictions regarding the use of state funds for personal services contracts or for equipment purchases in excess of $5,000.WSU Purchasing Services will route any exception request to the Budget Office for review. In the rare case that the exception is merited, the Budget Office will coordinate the request with OFM and ultimately Legislature for approval, with the 35-day caveat for legislative review and approval.
- Release from OFM on Implementing Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5460
- WSU Today — Technology vs. travel: Educators utilize new means of communication, see