Longwood University  Chief Administration and Finance Officer:      Human Resources        201 High Street, Lancaster 335, Farmville, VA  23909         Phone: 434.395.2074     Fax: 434.395.2666

 Policy 5211      
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES

I.     PURPOSE

Professional growth is important to Longwood University. This policy seeks to assist its employees
and their families in gaining increased, affordable access to the institution's course offerings.

II.     APPLICABILITY

This policy is limited to the following groups:

        A. Full-time Longwood employees;

        B. Part-time non-instructional employees working at least twenty (20) hours a week 
        regularly;

        C. Part-time instructional faculty teaching at least three courses in the semester the
        benefit is used.

        D. Exclusions: Temporary employees, part-time seasonal employees, and contractor's
        employees.

III.     POLICY

        A. Employees: One four (4) credit course or one job-related non-credit course per 
        semester is permitted. Summer school is considered one semester for the purpose of
        this policy. Tuition, Comprehensive and Application Fees are waived. Employees
        remain responsible for any lab, technology or other course-associated fees.
        Enrollment in credit courses is contingent upon having vacant seats in the class
        subsequent to regular student registration. Enrollment in non-credit courses is 
        contingent upon having sufficient paying students to cover costs. The institution
        presently does not have any agreements with other institutions, which would permit
        Tuition or Comprehensive Fee Waiver at institutions other than Longwood.

                1. Auditing Courses: Auditing a course involves taking the course but receiving
                no course credit. Employees normally audit courses if they have an interest in
                the subject matter but they are not interested in receiving credit toward a
                degree. Audited courses are tuition-free.

               2. Tax Implications: The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of
               2001, made a permanent exclusion for job-related, graduate level courses
               previously included under IRC Section 127. Fees waived will not be included
               in the employee's taxable income. This exclusion applies to courses taken after
               December 31, 2001.

        B. Spouses and Children: Spouses and Unmarried Children under the age of twenty-five
        (25) may have the Comprehensive Fee waived for any credit courses taken full or
        part-time at the institution. They remain responsible for paying any lab, technology,
        other course-related fees and room and board, if applicable.

                1. Children of Retired Faculty: Children of retired faculty who are less than 
                 twenty-five (25) years of age at the time they enroll in the course, are exempt 
                 from paying the Comprehensive Fee when taking credit classes.

IV.     PROCEDURE

        A. Supervisor's Approval: If an employee wishes to take a class during normal work
        hours, the employee must receive the approval of his or her department head prior to
        enrolling in the course.

                1. Time Accounting Alternatives: An employee enrolling in a class which meets
                during normal working hours must either make up the time lost to the class or
                must use accrued annual or holiday leave as an alternative. If, however, the
                department requires the class, no time will be required to be made up.

        B. Course Reimbursement Costs: If an employee fails to pass a credit course taken
        under this program for attendance reasons, he or she shall be required to reimburse
        the institution for the cost of the class. It is academic policy to automatically fail a
        student enrolled in a credit course if they miss more than twenty-five (25) percent of 
        the classes.  Students withdrawing with a "W," however, will not be required to 
        reimburse the University. 

Approved by the Board of Visitors December 1, 2001.
Revised and approved by the Board of Visitors, September 7, 2002.

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