Voluntary Separation Incentive Program for Eligible Faculty

Dear Colleague, 

As we navigate the fiscal challenges ahead, our first priority remains protecting the university’s academic core and ensuring KU continues to serve our students and the State of Kansas with excellence. The ongoing dedication of our faculty and staff continues to define the excellence and values of our institution. 

The recent budget reduction message identified the challenging financial situation we face at KU Lawrence and Edwards. To maintain KU’s academic excellence and student experience through this period of structural financial constraint, we are aligning university operations with long-term sustainability goals. Today — in agreement with UAKU — I am announcing one of those measures will be an accelerated voluntary retirement incentive program to be completed by May 22, 2026. Eligible faculty at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses may apply for consideration. The voluntary separation program is one of several efforts designed to support thoughtful workforce planning, while allowing future sustainability efforts, including investment in academic and research areas of strength and opportunity.

Eligible faculty who are accepted into the 2025 Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) will receive a lump-sum cash payment of their FY-2026 budgeted nine-month base salary (or their fiscal year base salary if on a 12-month appointment), minus required deductions. Deductions include applicable federal and state taxes and any other legally required deductions. Base salary is the nine-month (or 12-month) budgeted salary for the employee, and does not include faculty payments for summer sessions, overloads, or other one-time payments; endowed and distinguished professor supplements; administrative supplements; research or external funding; endowment income; or any other administrative payments. Additional details appear below. 
 
Participants must retire on May 22, 2026 and will not be eligible to be rehired.

VSIP addresses specific issues of funding and strategic decisions in academic programming, and is intended for eligible faculty in general-use, state-funded positions. Each application will be reviewed individually with the intent to allow as many eligible faculty as possible to participate. However, each approval will be granted based on the best interests of the university community. Applying and being approved for the VSIP does not exempt that individual from the possibility of being affected by other cost-saving measures that may still need to be enacted.  

A complete list of eligibility conditions is below and online. A program overview, complete guidelines, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and links to resources are available online on the 2025 VSIP website. The guidelines include complete program information, including application timeline and procedure. 

The application period begins today and ends on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. 

Change of this nature is never easy, and I want to extend my sincere appreciation to every faculty member in our community for your resilience and dedication to KU’s mission. This is an important decision, and I encourage eligible faculty to consider their situation carefully. Contact vsip@ku.edu with questions. Eligible employees are advised to contact an attorney of their own choosing at their own expense to discuss the VSIP and to review documents provided as part of the program. Participants are also encouraged to consult a tax advisor of their own choosing if they desire.   

Respectfully,  

Barb

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
Chief Academic Officer/Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor

Eligibility guidelines:

KU Lawrence and Edwards faculty who are active participants in the KBOR mandatory retirement plan and who:

1. Are 62 years of age or older at the Date of Separation (retirement);
2. Hold a tenured position at the rank of Associate Professor, Professor, Distinguished Professor, Associate Librarian or Librarian;
3. Hold a state-funded position;
4. Have completed at least ten (10) years of service in a benefits-eligible position at KU or a State of Kansas agency at the date of separation; and
5. Are not otherwise ineligible, as set forth below. 

The following employees are ineligible: 

1. Individuals who already have an active phased-retirement agreement or are scheduled to begin phased retirement at a future date,
2. Employees who have already identified and communicated a specific date for separation from the University and their unit has acknowledged the decision,
3. Employees whose positions are funded entirely (100%) through grants,
4. Current KU retirees who have been rehired at KU,
5. Individuals residing in a state where the VSIP is prohibited by law,
6. Individuals approved to receive or receiving long-term disability benefit, and
7. Individuals on sabbatical leave during Spring 2026, unless revoked.