(Approved by USM BOR on April 21, 2017; Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ President on July 1, 2017)
Purpose and Applicability
This policy is created to establish the terms and conditions in which Exempt and Overseas Staff employees; Collegiate Faculty members as defined in Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ 181.00 – Faculty Appointment, Rank, and Promotion Policy; and Overseas Collegiate Faculty employees would be eligible for the payment of moving expenses by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ).
Administration
The President or designee may authorize the payment of moving expenses for employees when it is deemed to be in the best interest of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.
As set forth in USM policy, the Chancellor may authorize the payment of moving expenses for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ President.
The payment may include moving expenses of reasonable household goods and other expenses directly related to the relocation to the extent supported by this policy, including reasonable packing and unpacking charges. The goods and services purchased must be at reasonable and competitive prices. To support a request for reimbursement of moving expenses, the employee shall provide three (3) bids from reputable moving companies for prior approval by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ shall only authorize the payment of moving expenses when the distance between the employee's former residence and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ location where the individual is required to work is in excess of 50 miles one way. Exceptions to the 50 mile limitation may be made for payment of relocation expenses when the relocation is for the convenience of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is responsible for compliance with IRS regulations concerning reporting and withholding requirements associated with payments for moving expenses, and should exercise due diligence in processing taxable and nontaxable payments.
For purposes of determining an individual's salary, moving expense payments shall not be considered salary or bonus.
An employee who receives payment of moving expenses is responsible for paying any applicable income taxes on any taxable portion of the moving expenses that the employee incurs and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ pays and/or reimburses.
Nothing in this policy requires the payment of moving expenses and it is solely at discretion of the President (or the Chancellor when moving expenses are considered for the President).
Should the employee voluntarily leave employment with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ within one year of the date of hire, the employee shall be responsible for reimbursing Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ for moving expenses for which Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ paid and/or reimbursed the employee.
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ President has designated the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to administer this policy; to develop procedures as necessary to implement this policy; to communicate this policy to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ community; and to post the policy and any applicable procedures on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ website.
Replacement for:
USM BOR VIII-16.00: Policy on Payment of Moving Expenses