January 23, 2025

Dear Colleagues, 

As we move further into the semester, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication each of you brings to NDSU. Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and our mission during a time of ongoing challenges.

Addressing our financial realities still remains a top priority. With anticipated declines in funding due to decreased enrollment, we are carefully navigating how to balance our resources while positioning NDSU for future growth.

As part of this effort, we are implementing a new round of the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) this spring. It serves as one of several tools to manage our financial challenges thoughtfully while providing eligible employees with an opportunity to plan for their future.

The VSIP is available to employees in the following categories: executive, dean, officer, research scientist, extension specialist, and tenured faculty. To be eligible, individuals must have been hired before January 1, 2018, and meet the Rule of 55 (age + years of service) by December 31, 2024.

Some information on eligibility and timeline is provided below:

• This incentive will be available to job bands 0000 and tenured faculty.
• Applicants must have been hired by NDSU prior to January 1, 2018.
• For consideration, applications should be submitted by 5:00 p.m. February 13, 2025 via DocuSign form.
• Approved applicants will receive agreements no later than February 24, 2025.
• Department, college, and university leaders will consider the unit’s overall workforce capacity, among other elements, during the VSIP review process.

For more detailed information: VSIP Eligibility & Guidelines, VSIP FAQs, and the VSIP Application.

To ensure eligible employees are aware of their opportunity to participate in the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP), Human Resources will email those who meet the criteria. This follow-up outreach is intended to inform and assist eligible employees in understanding their options and the benefits of the program. Please direct any questions to Mark Genkinger (mark.genkinger@ndsu.edu), Director of Human Resources.

Thank you for your dedication to NDSU and for continuing to work together as we navigate these challenges. Our shared efforts make a lasting difference for our students, our university, and our state.

Thank you,
 

David Cook