Good morning,

It’s been an intense, yet productive last few weeks at the University, which included finalizing the University Budget, transformation of two colleges into five faculties, and historical first ever negotiated settlement agreement between UNBC and UNBC Faculty Association.

In March 2021, the University community was afforded a number of opportunities to see our Vice President, Finance and Administration, Rahim Somani provide a comprehensive overview of UNBC’s budget, which presented the current situation in the historical context along with inter-connectedness, key drivers, and the way forward. It also reinforced that people development, effective engagement, mutually respectful relationships, collaborative efforts and collective excellence are critical for UNBC’s success.

As communicated during the budget presentations, we are looking at multiple approaches that set the university up for achieving success, relevance, excellence, impact and financial stability while providing growth and development opportunities for our employees.

I’m writing today to inform you that we are offering Voluntary Retirement Incentive Plans (VRIPs) to Faculty and Exempt employees.  We are also actively working with CUPE 3799 to offer a voluntary retirement incentive to CUPE employees as well, and anticipate having more information to share next week.

These are an opportunity for those who have made significant contributions to UNBC over their long careers to make a transition into retirement. Perhaps it comes earlier than planned, but with the financial resources to ease that transition. We’ve worked closely with the Faculty Association and Exempt group, and I am thankful for the collaborative spirit they’ve demonstrated in moving this initiative forward. We are confident that these initiatives will provide development and growth opportunities to continuing employees while providing required flexibility for the successful transition to five faculties.

It is bittersweet to offer a VRIP; eligible employees have made massive contributions to Post-Secondary excellence during their careers, and our community is stronger thanks to them. Yet I am also emboldened by the opportunities such an endeavor makes possible.

As always, I am grateful to all of you who contribute to the success of our University, and look forward to making continued strides towards the long-term success and sustainability of UNBC.

Eligible employees interest in this incentive may submit their application for consideration until May 7, 2021. More information is available on the VRIP web page and through Exempt Leadership Teams channel.

Regards,

Geoff Payne
President and Vice-Chancellor (Interim)