57 faculty and staff members applied for and were accepted for the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program, according to an email sent by Executive Vice President for Strategy, Operations and Finance Susan Howarth and Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Bud Fischer on Wednesday. Faculty participating will separate from the university on Dec. 31 while staff participating will separate on Nov. 30.

The program, which was announced in September, offers financial compensation equal to one year’s salary for an eligible faculty or staff member for leaving their position at the university before their contract is complete.

“To our VSIP recipients, congratulations! Thank you for your hard work and commitment and all that you have done during your time on the Hill to support our students and advance our institution,” Howarth and Fischer wrote. “We wish you all the best as you move toward the next phase of your lives, and remember, once a Hilltopper always a Hilltopper!”

Included on the list is Molly Kerby, assistant provost for institutional effectiveness and engagement, Associate Professor and Public Relations Program Coordinator Ken Payne and Matt Davis, associate director of the Student Accessibility and Resource Center.

WKU first implemented a similar program in 2021, which saw 125 university employees participate.

Editor-in-Chief Price Wilborn can be reached at [email protected].