Marjorie ZatzArizona State

UniversityUniversity of Arizona

Leslie Tolbert

Susanna MaxwellNorthern Arizona

University

Postdoctoral Scholars Classification Review

25 January 2007

A Presentation to the Arizona Board of Regents

The Issue

Postdoctoral Scholars have a unique status.

62% of postsecondary institutions classify postdoctoral positions in a separate category – distinct from faculty, students and staff

- Association of American Universities Graduate & Postdoctoral Education survey

employee student

‘professional apprentice’

What is a Postdoctoral Scholar?

Recently completed doctoral studies

Holds short-term University appointment

Mentored by faculty member

Preparing for independent career as researcher or scientist

Current Situation

10

190

387

050

100150200250300350400

NAU ASU UA

Total Number of Postdoctoral Scholars – Fall 2006

9589

60

0

20

40

60

80

100

NAU ASU UA

Percent of Postdoctoral Scholars paid out of non-state funds

Rationale for change: reclassification

Recognition of unique status as defined by:

Conditions of service

Sources of funding

Expected term of appointment

Professional development purpose of appointment

Rationale for change: retirement plan exemption

Fiscal Disadvantages for Faculty & Postdocs

Faculty or Academic Unit Postdoctoral Scholar

Pays employer portion of retirement contribution from: External funding State/Local funds

Cannot vest due to short-term appointment (≤ 5 years)

Reduces $ spent on researchReduces compensation

& fiscal flexibility

Employer portion of retirement contributions paid to:

(a) ASRS: not returned to research project or University

(b) ORP: not returned for at least 3 years (often after grant/contract & postdoc appt. have expired)

Proposed Benefits Matrices

Existing Benefit Proposed Changes

Vacation 122 days

(max accrual)

10 days/yr (1st year) 15 days (2nd year…) No carryover, no payout

Notification of non-renewal 2

90 days30 days notice if funding eliminated;

60 days notice otherwise

Retirement plans (mandatory and voluntary)3

eligible

Exclude from mandatory plans (ASRS and ORP)

May enroll in voluntary retirement savings plans (403B and 457 plans)

1 ‘ Grandfather clause’ for Postdocs appointed prior to January 1, 2008

2 The University of Arizona currently provides 30 days notice if funding is eliminated

3 During the transition, Postdocs wishing to remain in a retirement plan would be reclassified into a retirement-eligible job category

Maintain Existing Benefits

Health/Dental

Long-term disability

Employee Tuition Reduction Program

Sick leave

Library, computer, parking privileges/discounts

Life insurance, short-term disability, vision, FSA

Proposal Vetting Participants

Postdoctoral Scholars

Faculty (Principal Investigators)

Deans

Department Chairs

Provosts

Vice Provosts

Vice Presidents

HR Directors

Legal Counsel

Proposed Amended Language

A person who is employed in postgraduate training in an

approved medical residency program of an employer OR A

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR WHO IS EMPLOYED BY A

UNIVERSITY UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ARIZONA

BOARD OF REGENTS is ineligible for membership in ASRS.

A.R.S 38-727(6)

Recommendations

New Board policy:

Conditions for Postdoctoral Service

Create separate classification

Revision to Board Policy 6-601:

Retirement and Benefits Plans

Retirement plan exemption

recognition of unique status

fiscal flexibility for Postdocs

economic savings for research team and Principal Investigator

Recommendation Effective change Advantage

Questions & Comments

Postdoctoral Scholars Classification Review