An Opportunity to Contribute
President H. Kim Bottomly
April 3, 2009

I am pleased to inform you that at the April 1st meeting of Academic Council, the Wellesley College faculty voted to “ask the appropriate officers and committees of the College to set up a voluntary, confidential, donation-financed system to enable the College to provide greater financial assistance to employees who have been laid off, with the first priority of the system being to help laid-off employees who have been receiving health insurance through the College to continue to afford that insurance.”

At this same meeting, members of the College Government Cabinet announced the generous decision of Wellesley College students to match any funds raised through this community effort using part of the Student Activities Fund, up to a total of $20,000 (see “Student Financial Contribution” on FirstClass Official Announcements).

This proposed Employee Financial Assistance Fund, when added to the severance package the College will be providing, will help to ease the transition of our colleagues who will be laid-off.

I am very proud of our community, and I know that the recipients will be both touched and aided by these actions. I deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone on campus to ensure that these difficult transitions are handled respectfully and sensitively.

If you would like to contribute to this Employee Financial Assistance Fund for laid-off employees, instructions and details of the program are outlined in the attached document. All pledges must be received by April 30th and all funds will need to be collected by June 30th. Funds donated through this newly established process will be earmarked as indicated in the vote by Academic Council.

Eliminating staff positions is particularly difficult in a tight-knit community such as ours since it means laying off employees. We are fortunate to have a highly skilled and dedicated staff committed to advancing the mission of the College. I am particularly pleased at this show of community solidarity toward those individuals who will be directly affected.

FAQs regarding the Employee Financial Assistance Fund

How will my contribution be used?

All donations collected will be in addition to the severance package the College will be providing and is meant to ease the transition of laid-off colleagues, with the first priority being support for the continuation of health insurance benefits (as indicated in the Academic Council vote).

Who can contribute?

Any member of the Wellesley College community.

How do I make a contribution?

You can make a contribution by completing the Employee Financial Assistance Fund form (see below) and returning it to office of the Vice President for Finance before April 30th.

Can I make my donation in the form of a payroll deduction?

Yes. The Employee Assistance Fund form has a section indicating a contribution in the form of a payroll deduction.

The full payment of the donation must be made in this fiscal year ending June 30th. The donation amount indicated will be taken as an after-tax payroll deduction (just as we do with the Charitable Giving Campaign).

Will my donation be tax deductible?

Yes. You will receive a tax receipt from the Resources Office. The donation will be recorded as an annual gift to the college in FY 2009.

How much should I contribute?

Every donation, whatever the amount, is appreciated.

Wellesley College Employee Financial Assistance Fund

To give to the Employee Financial Assistance Fund, please check off one of the following ways to contribute and complete the necessary information.

I. I would like to make a one-time contribution in the amount of $______________. A personal check is enclosed with this form.

II. I would like to make a contribution in the amount of $_______________ to be paid by payroll deduction. Please complete the following information for the payroll deductions to take place:

Employee Name: ____________________________________

Banner ID: _________________________________________

Payroll (check one):

Monthly (deductions will occur in your May and June '09 paychecks)

Weekly (deductions will occur weekly over 8 pay periods beginning with your paycheck dated May 8, 2009 and ending with your paycheck dated June 26, 2009)

___________________________________ ______________________

Employee signature and Date

This form must be returned to the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer located in Green Hall, Room 146, by April 20, 2009.