Finance Division

To:      University Business Managers
           Human Resources Facilitators

From:  Elizabeth C. (Betsi) Snipes, Director of Payroll Services

Date:   August 24, 2009

The M13 (02,04,06) reports reflecting the retro Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement Program (TSERS) rate change for Biweekly 26, Biweekly 01, Biweekly 02, Summer School 03 and 04 and Monthly 01 are available online.  Effective July 1, 2009, the employer rate for TSERS was 8.54 percent which was implemented timely, however; the final bill changed the amount to 8.75 percent. The online reports represent the difference between 8.54 percent and 8.75 percent retroactive to July 1, 2009. Please use these reports to assist you in balancing your accounts.

To:     University Business Managers

From:  Richard L. Mann, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Date:  August 20, 2009

This linked memo in PDF format serves as notification of a change in the distribution rates to participants in the University Money Market System that includes balances invested in the Temp Pool and in STIF.

This memo is also being distributed to Deans, Directors and Department Chairs.

To:    University Business Managers

From: Roger Patterson, Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Finance

Date:  August 18, 2009

The memo from OSBM required pre-approval of travel and compensation adjustments by the agency head, which is the Chancellor.  We were able to get OSBM to allow us to designate the pre-approval to the department head. The purpose for this requirement is to ensure someone is applying the prudent person test before a trip or compensation adjustment goes forward.   We are not going to check for these approvals centrally (above any normal authorization requirements).

To:    University Business Managers

From: Roger Patterson, Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Finance

Date:  August 17, 2009

Effective immediately, the Office of State Budget and Management has lifted the State freeze that went into effect on July 24.  There is one remaining requirement. All travel and compensation adjustments from State funds must be pre-approved by the department head. This provision was added because the Governor wants to make sure the department head is aware of and approves a trip or compensation adjustment in advance of the action.  Best, Roger

To:     Business Managers
         University Accounting Personnel

From: Troy Howell, Finance Training Coordinator

Date:  August 17, 2009

In September, Finance Division Training will offer an Tax Continuing Professional Education (CPE) workshop. This workshop offers the opportunity to receive four (4) CPE credits at a very low cost. See announcement and agenda for more details.

Please forward as appropriate to others who may be interested. 

To:      University Business Managers

From:   McGregor Bell, Director, Budget Office

Date:   August 11, 2009

Effective immediately, our campus has received blanket approval from OSBM to hire students during the state freeze.  We will share more information with you as we have it.  If you have questions about this approval, please contact Thea Crabtree at 962-5764 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To:     Business Managers

From:  Beverly Wyrick, Director, Fellowship Office, Graduate School
          Troy Howell, Finance Training Coordinator

Date:   August 6, 2009

Additional training sessions for StARS have been scheduled for two dates in August.  StARS, the Student Award Reporting System, is a system used to report payments received by students and to submit tuition, fees and other awards for payment.  If you are new to the system, please make every effort to attend one of these sessions - there will be no more sessions during the fall semester.  During the training, we will review the various system processes, as well as review policies of Student Accounts and University Receivables, the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid, and the Graduate School.  We will  also use this time as a help session to answer individual questions and problems about entering awards in StARS.  Please bring your questions to class, along with student PIDs, account numbers, and stipend information.