To: The Wellesley Community
From: Andrew Shennan, Provost
Carolyn Slaboden, AVP of Human Resources and EO
Subject: Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP)
Date: July 11, 2017

We are writing to follow up on the important announcement that President Johnson made earlier today. This September, the College will offer a voluntary retirement program (VRP) to benefits- eligible faculty and benefits-eligible, non-union administrative staff who are aged 60 and older and have completed at least 10 years of service as of December 31, 2017 (for administrative staff), and June 30, 2018, (for faculty).

The decision to offer the VRP is guided by the College’s need to recast our budget model in order to support institutional priorities and invest, in a sustainable manner, both in our academic program and in our campus facilities. For the past year, work has been underway in the Provost’s Office and in the Advisory Committee on Academic Staffing (ACAS) to prepare for the future of our academic program, and in recent months we have begun a parallel process to identify opportunities to redesign administrative work. The main rationale for offering the VRP at this time is to provide flexibility in support of these efforts.

Through the VRP, those who meet the criteria for this program will be able to receive financial benefits and other benefits beyond what is typically available to those retiring from the College. Eligible individuals will receive a separate email confirmation within a few days of this announcement. Then, in mid-September, they will receive a detailed, personalized information package, sent to their home address. The College will also provide individual assistance and other resources to help each eligible faculty member and administrative staff member understand all aspects of the VRP and make an informed and thoughtful decision by November 15, 2017.

The College is committed to working with all academic and administrative departments to ensure that the staffing transitions brought about by this VRP occur as smoothly as possible. Facilitating these transitions and minimizing disruptions in the academic and administrative life of the College will be the highest priority for the College’s Senior Leadership, Provost’s Office and Human Resources.

If you have any immediate questions, please contact either of us at ashennan@wellesley.edu (x3583) or cslaboden@wellesley.edu (x2216).