SUBJECT:  Formal Review of the UC Staff and Academic
                     Reduction in Time (START) Program

The University of California is proposing a voluntary time reduction program to achieve temporary salary savings. The program, entitled Staff and Academic Reduction in Time (START), is intended to specifically address the University's serious budget deficits due to the California budget crisis. UCSD department heads, at their discretion and with the appropriate approval of the respective vice chancellor, may extend START to their organization at any time during the program period of the effective date of START through June 30, 2005.

The features of the proposed START program are:

ELIGIBILITY
All full-time and part-time non-probationary career ("regular status") employees and academic appointees, except those in faculty and student academic titles, will be eligible to volunteer to reduce their time. In all cases, participation will require the approval of the employee's department head and the approval of the respective vice chancellor [if required by separate communication of the vice chancellor to members of the respective vice chancellor organization].

PROGRAM PARAMETERS
Eligible employees may volunteer to reduce their time from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 50% of full-time. An employee's work schedule cannot be reduced below 50% time in any month of START participation.

In return for a voluntary reduction in time, program participants will:

* Accrue, on a month-by-month basis, vacation and sick leave credits at the rate accrued prior to the commencement of START;

* Accrue, on a month-by-month basis, UCRP service credit for each month of START participation at the rate accrued prior to commencement of the program, provided that the employee is on pay status for at least 50% time. (Note: Service credit during participation in START will be reduced by a leave without pay for other periods of time off pay status not reflected in the START Agreement);

* Continue UCRP benefits such as disability or survivor benefits without any related reductions; and

A written START agreement signed by the employee and the department head [and the vice chancellor, if required] must specify the percentage reduction, the duration of the reduction in time, and the start and end dates of the agreement.

Eligible employees may have only one START agreement in any 12-month period between the effective date of START and June 30, 2005, and no START agreement may extend beyond June 30, 2005.

A START time reduction or end date may be changed by mutual agreement of both the employee and the department head only once during the period of the agreement.

Participation in START may be ended at the discretion of the department head based on business needs.

Comments regarding the proposed START program should be submitted by Monday, April 14, 2003 to Jonnie Craig-Winston, Director of Policy Development and Quality of Work/Life, at jcraig@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-8037 or to Tricia Takacs, Assistant Director Academic Personnel, at ttakacs@ucsd.edu.or (858) 534-2597.

                                                Marsha Chandler
                                                Senior Vice Chancellor -
                                                Academic Affairs

                                                Steven W. Relyea
                                                Vice Chancellor -
                                                Business Affairs