UMGC Policy on Review of Certain Contracts and Employment Agreements

(Approved by USM BOR on April 21, 2017; UMGC President on July 1, 2017)

1. Purpose and Applicability

   It is the expectation of the President that the CHRO shall establish compensation that is competitive to attract the best qualified applicants to UMGC, but is not excessive.

2. Applicability

   1. This policy shall apply to all contracts, including appointment letters and contract amendments, for UMGC Officers, at or above the level of Dean or Director that contain any of the following provisions:

      1. A term of more than one year, with a provision providing severance compensation in excess of six (6) months or time off in excess of earned time off pursuant to UMGC policies;

      2. An annual total compensation package that exceeds the annual total compensation package of the President or the USM Chancellor. Total compensation shall include:

         1. salary;

         2. other allowances, performance and other contingent bonuses, revenues, or other benefits that must be declared as taxable income according to Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations; and

         3. deferred compensation contributions; or

      3. A deferred compensation benefit in excess of the standard State Employees/Teachers Retirement Plan or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) benefits offered routinely to UMGC employees, such as the 457(f) Plan.

   2. Revisions in the terms of employment due solely to Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) or Merit increases within the range of other UMGC employees, or other changes in the terms and conditions of employment which apply to a broad category of UMGC employees shall not require an additional review under this Policy for matters which have previously been reviewed.

3. Review of Contracts by UMGC Office of Legal Affairs

   Before a contract is executed that meets one of the criteria set forth above, it must be submitted to the Office of Legal Affairs for review and approval for legal form and sufficiency, with a copy provided to the USM Chancellor. After consultation with the Maryland Attorney General's Office, the Office of Legal Affairs shall communicate any significant legal concerns with the draft contract to the CHRO and the President. The CHRO shall communicate any significant concerns, legal or otherwise, to the President. Before the contract is executed, the President shall consult with the USM Chancellor about any legal or other concerns.

4. Review of Contracts by the Chancellor and the Board of Regents

   Within two (2) business days after executing a contract subject to this policy, the President must submit it to the Chancellor for Board of Regents review for informational purposes. The review will be conducted by the Committee on Organization and Compensation. The President will be informed by the Chancellor of any questions or concerns arising from the Committee's review of the executed agreement.

5. Reporting Requirements

   Not later than September 1 of each year, the President shall certify in writing to the USM Chancellor that UMGC has complied with this Policy for every UMGC contract covered by the Policy which was executed in the previous fiscal year.

Implementation Procedures

The UMGC 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 UMGC community; and to post the policy and any applicable procedures on the UMGC website.

Replacement for:

• USM BOR VII-10.0: Policy on Board of Regents Review of Certain Contracts and Employment Agreements

See all Human Resources Policies and Procedures