COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES GUIDELINES
SALARY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Approved: June 16, 2006
Supplements: System Policy 31.01 and System Regulation 31.01.01
1.00 GENERAL
1.01 This guideline establishes criteria for participation in the Salary Incentive Program. This program is available to tenured and tenure-track faculty in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Faculty with administrative appointments are not eligible for participation in this program. For purposes of this procedure, "base salary" is defined as an employee’s salary before approval to participate in the SIP.
1.02 Faculty members who participate in the SIP MAY increase their salaries by compressing their 12-month salaries into 11 months, 10.5 months or 10 months. The remaining month(s) of salary may be funded from external sources. Once a faculty member is approved for SIP the choice of a less-than-twelve-month appointment is irreversible; however, the salary can continue to be compressed until the 10 month level is reached provided funds are available.
1.03 All policies and regulations of The Texas A&M University System related to eligibility for vacation leave and other benefits will apply to those faculty who hold less than 12-month appointments.
2.00 APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE
2.01 Approval for participation in SIP will be determined on an individual basis, with recommendations, as applicable, from the Unit Head and the approval by the Dean and the Provost.
2.02 Recommended names, results of faculty performance evaluations, and source of funds are to be submitted to the Dean for approval prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. Approved SIP’s will be effective September 1.
2.03 Agreements will be documented in writing between the faculty member and the respective Department Head and forwarded to the Dean. A sample letter of agreement is attached (Attachment A).
2.04 Approval to participate in the SIP is not automatic and will be contingent upon a faculty member demonstrating outstanding job performance, and availability of funds, including ensuring that operating funds are not eliminated or unrealistically reduced to support the salary enhancement.
3.00 ELIGIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDS FOR SIP
3.01 Eligible sources of funding for the SIP is limited to active contracts/grants (non-state sources), residual funds and gifts. All fund sources must include authorization to use grant funds for faculty salaries and will pay their proportionate share of benefits in the months that salaries are funded from these accounts.
3.02 All grant sources must be identified and have sufficient funds to meet the annual salary and benefit requirements by September 1.
3.03 All SIP sources must be approved by the department head as appropriate and allowable and free of any potential conflict of interest.
3.04 Salary increases are granted in recognition of outstanding performance. The mere fact that a grant allows an increase is not justification for approval of SIP.
4.00 OTHER SALARY ADJUSTMENTS
4.01 Faculty will continue to be eligible for other salary adjustments as applicable according to System policy and regulation, Texas A&M University rules and procedures (as applicable), and guidelines of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
4.02 In the event the funding for the SIP becomes unavailable, other eligible external funds may be substituted. If other funds are not available, any remaining portion of the base salary will be paid on a pro-rata basis over the remainder of the 11-month, 10.5-month or 10-month appointment.
5.00 IMPLEMENTATION
Note for budget preparation: Do not include SIP funding sources in the Phase II budget. Just include the funding for the official appointment period of 10, 10.5, or 11 months. Effective September 1, 2006 an employee personnel action (EPA) should be submitted to the Texas A&M Agriculture Payroll Office adjusting sources to include the SIP sources for the fiscal year. This process will provide consistency across to the college and ease tracking of SIP participants.