    |
Proposed January Closure FAQs
As you may be aware from our President's email messages, The College of New Jersey faces State budget reductions of unprecedented magnitude. The reductions equal 32% (i.e., 12 million dollars), of the College's operating budget. The College has submitted to the Board of Trustees a comprehensive plan which balances the 2007 budget through cuts which will impact every area of the College, while maintaining the integrity of the College's academic core and assuring the safety of our campus community. While we have been advocating for restoration of part of the budget, we must prepare for the worst case scenario, that there will be no restoration.
The plan submitted to balance the College's budget, in light of no significant budgetary restoration, includes a January closure of the campus. As proposed, The College would close from Tuesday, January 2, 2007 , through Monday, January 8, 2007 . The College would reopen on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 .
Please note that this is a worst case scenario. Should there be significant restoration in state funding, the proposed January closure would be reconsidered. For additional information regarding the budget for fiscal year 2007, please go to http://www.tcnj.edu/~ccr/news/2006/budget/ .
1) What does the January Closure mean?
The College will close and all staff will be temporarily laid off. There will be a very minimal skeleton crew required to work during this week in order to assure that the campus is secure. Only that minimal skeleton crew required to maintain campus safety will be exempt. All senior administration will be in laid off status.
2) What are the proposed dates of the layoff?
The dates of the layoff are Tuesday, January 2, 2007 through Monday, January 8, 2007 .
3) How will my pay be affected?
The Closure dates fall within two separate pay periods. Following the payroll check schedule, your paycheck on January 12, 2007 will reflect 4 unpaid days due to the layoff. Your check on January 26, 2007 , will reflect 1 unpaid day due to the layoff. However, should the Closure become definite, the College will explore the possibility of deducting the unpaid days across pay periods across the fiscal year.
4) Will my anniversary date be affected?
No. You must be off an entire pay period for your anniversary date to be affected.
5) Can I use vacation or sick leave in order to continue my pay during the layoff period?
No. The goal of the closure is to save enough in salary and utility expenses to help in balancing the 2007 fiscal year budget. Use of paid leave would not allow for the savings needed to balance the budget.
6) Will my health insurances be affected by the layoff?
No. There will be no impact on your health insurance.
7) What will happen to my vacation and sick leave accruals?
Your leave accruals will not be affected by the 5 day layoff period.
8) How will my pension be affected?
The amount of Pension you pay is based on your actual earnings. Since your earnings will be reduced for pay period one and two of 2007, the amount of pension you pay will be reduced. The employer paid portion of you your pension will not be reduced.
9) If I start a medical leave in December, can I use sick leave during the layoff period?
No. All College employees will be laid off during the January Closure.
10) Will I be eligible for unemployment?
You are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. The Division of Unemployment Insurance will make a determination as to who is eligible to be awarded unemployment benefits.
11) Will adjunct faculty's pay be affected by the closure?
Adjunct faculty pay will not be affected by the closure. Adjunct faculty appointment dates for the fall and spring semesters are August 29, 2006 to December 19, 2006 and January 22, 2007 to May 11, 2007 respectively. The proposed closure is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2007 , through Monday, January 8, 2007, therefore, their pay will not be impacted as they do not have active appointments during the proposed closure period.
12) How definite is the Closure?
We will be able to provide a definite answer after our analysis of the final determination of the state budget. The deadline for the legislative deliberations is July 1, 2006 ; however, our analysis may require an additional week. Continue to check our website for future updates: http://www.tcnj.edu/~hr/index.php
