Approved by President
Effective Date: June 5, 2017
Responsible Division: Business and Finance
Responsible Office:  Human Resource Services
Responsible Officer:  Assistant Vice President, Human Resource Services

I. Purpose

This policy establishes the process and specifies employment benefits regarding modified fiscal year (MODFY) contracts at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU or University).

II. Definitions

A.  MODFY Employees. All regular full and part-time non-teaching personnel whose service period is at least nine (9) months, but less than twelve (12) months. (See Policy 804 Employment Classification.)

B.  MODFY Service Period. The period when a MODFY employee is scheduled for active duty. Generally, coincides with the nine (9)-month academic year, with off-duty during the summer months. However, at the discretion of the President or designee, the actual length and work schedule can vary to meet departmental staffing requirements.

C.  MODFY Appointment/Contract. Agreement used to employ regular non-academic staff, who work less than twelve (12) months in a fiscal year.

III. Policy

A.  Introduction

1.  The MODFY appointment is an alternative employment base for non-academic personnel at MTSU.

2.  The following outline of conditions and provisions is designed as a model to uniformly:

a.  Enable MTSU to convert fiscal year staff appointments to MODFY appointments where staff work load requirements are subject to fluctuations in the academic calendar, and therefore, can be adjusted without undue reduction of necessary support to essential services;

b.  Ensure protection against loss of benefits for staff affected by change in appointment base; and,

c.  Accommodate the preference of staff with interests in a MODFY work schedule.

3.  It is intended that all regular non-academic personnel shall be eligible for MODFY appointments. The benefit provisions cited below principally address regular full-time staff; however, the provisions apply to regular part-time staff, consistent with existing policy and regulations.

B.  General Conditions

1.  The President or designee has the discretion to implement MODFY appointments for non-academic personnel as deemed feasible and desirable.

2.  Re-designation of filled fiscal year positions may be made at the discretion of the President or designee. Notification of termination of the existing twelve (12)-month contract should be given and the incumbent offered a MODFY contract at a proportionately reduced salary.

3.  MTSU shall determine MODFY contracts that specify beginning and ending appointment dates and the MODFY service period(s).

4.  If a non-academic employee works 37.5 hours per week during the MODFY service period, he/she is defined as full-time. If the employee works less than 37.5 hours per week, he/she is designated as part-time.

5.  Staff on MODFY appointments will be considered to be employed for the entire twelve (12)-month year. Regular employee status shall not be changed.

6.  Staff on MODFY appointments will be paid on a regular schedule over a twelve (12)-month period in order to maintain eligibility status for full benefits as described below.

C.  Benefit Provisions

1.  As regular employees, staff on MODFY appointments maintain retirement eligibility. They will receive a full year (twelve [12] months) of creditable service for retirement purposes.

2  Insurance

a.  Employees in these positions will be eligible to participate in the State of Tennessee Group Insurance Plan providing they work at least thirty (30) hours per week during the MODFY service period.

b.  They will make contributions through payroll deduction procedures throughout the entire year, and coverage will extend throughout the year.

c.  It should be noted that the employees' amount of life insurance will be reduced due to decreased annual salary in this appointment.

3.  Annual Leave

a.  These employees will be eligible for annual leave, which will be accrued at the appropriate monthly rate for each month actually worked.

b.  Clerical and support employees will receive a full year (twelve [12] months) of creditable service for purposes of monthly accrual levels.

(1)  For example, an employee with less than five (5) years of creditable service would accrue 7.5 hours of annual leave, or the part-time equivalent, for each month worked.

(2)  An employee with six (6) years of creditable service would accrue 11.3 hours of annual leave, or the part-time equivalent, for each month worked.

c.  Each MODFY period served should be treated as a full year's service in determining how many annual leave hours per month the employee accrues. An employee with four (4) years of service at a twelve (12)-month service base plus one (1) MODFY period would be given five (5) years of creditable service and begin accruing annual leave at the rate of 11.3 hours per month worked, or the part-time equivalent.

4.  Sick Leave. Employees will accrue 7.5 hours of sick leave or the part-time equivalent for each month actually worked.

5.  Holidays. Employees in these appointments will receive full compensation for all MTSU holidays that occur during the MODFY service period.

6.  Academic-year MODFY appointments only.

a.  The work schedule of employees in these appointments shall coincide with that of twelve (12)-month non-academic employees who work during breaks between semesters.

b.  Hours not worked during these periods shall be reported as leave.

7.  Civil Leave. This leave will be granted when coinciding with regular scheduled work time during the MODFY period.

8.  Military Leave

a.  Employees in these appointments will be entitled to leave of absence from their duties for the purpose of military service, duty, or training in the event that this military obligation occurs during their months of regularly scheduled service.

b.  They will be compensated in accordance with Policy 825 Leave Policies.

D.  Other Considerations

1.  Unemployment Compensation. No unemployment compensation claims should be honored by the Tennessee Department of Employment Security so long as MTSU has a reasonable expectation of requiring the MODFY employee's services in the next MODFY period.

2.  Grant-in-Aid and Scholarship Programs. MODFY employees are eligible for participation so long as they are on the payroll.

3.  Longevity Payments

a.  Because they are considered full-year employees and paid over twelve (12) months, these employees are eligible for longevity payments.

b.  Payments should be made for a full year's employment.

4.  All employment actions, whether mid-year hires, terminations, or promotions, will require the calculation and payment of deferred salary.

5.  Employees in these appointments may wish to seek outside employment during off-duty months. In such cases, state guidelines on dual services will be followed, if applicable.

Forms: none.

Revisions: none.

Last Reviewed: March 2022.

References: Policies 804 Employment Classification; 825 Leave Policies.