Human Resources

Staff Tuition

Employees of Southern Oregon University (SOU) or qualified family members of SOU employees, who meet requirements listed below are eligible for the employee tuition rate set at 30% of resident, undergraduate tuition, in addition to appropriate fees. Internal Revenue code section 117 mandates that educational assistance provided to family members of SOU employees enrolled in advanced degree programs or graduate-level classes for credit be reported as taxable income. The difference between the reduced tuition and the regular graduate tuition will be taxed.

No application fee will be required of SOU staff members who are eligible for the staff rate.

Transfer of Benefit

Attending SOU

The staff tuition benefit can be used by the SOU employee and their dependent, or multiple dependents during the same term when used at SOU.

Other Oregon Public Universities

Only one employee or a dependent per term at the other Oregon Public Universities.

Maximum Number of Credits

Attending SOU

No maximum number of credits for classes taken at SOU by SOU employees and their dependents.

Other Oregon Public Universities

There is a maximum number of 12 credits per term under the staff tuition benefit.

Online classes

Online courses at SOU are available to all employees, dependents, and other Oregon Public University employees and their dependents.

Restriction – The SOU online MBA and MsEd programs continue to be excluded from the staff tuition benefit program.

Important Notes

Please remember that each university has its own staff tuition benefit exclusions, and the expansions described above apply only to SOU employees and their dependents when classes are taken at SOU.

The seven Oregon Public Universities are: Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Eastern Oregon University, Western Oregon University, and Oregon Institute of Technology.

Inquiries about this generous benefit may be directed to Human Resources at hrs@sou.edu, or call 541 552-8119.

Completed forms should be sent to Michele Barlow, Assistant Director of Human Resources via email at barlowm@sou.edu, or via fax at 541 552-8508 or delivered to the Human Resources office located in Churchill Hall, Room 159.

Please note that the submission of the Staff Tuition form to Human Resources does not enroll you for the class. You will still need to follow the appropriate steps for enrollment.

Eligibility Requirements

Administrative and Teaching Faculty

Employees appointed to a regular position at least half time (.50 FTE) are eligible for employee tuition privileges. (Combination with secondary temporary positions does not change eligibility for this program)
Employees must have a 9-month, 10-month, or 12-month contract.
Temporary unclassified employees, term x term faculty, graduate assistants, and other student employees are ineligible for the employee tuition rate.
For further information, see the Reduced Tuition Policies..

Classified Employees/Unclassified Professionals

Temporary classified/unclassified employees, graduate assistants and other student employees are ineligible for the employee tuition rate.
Classified/Unclassified employees in regular positions, appointed at least half time (.50 FTE) are eligible for employee tuition privileges. (Combination with secondary temporary positions does not change eligibility for this program)
Employees must have a 9-month, 10-month or 12-month contract.
The number of credit hours allowed during the work day shall be determined by the employee’s supervisor and approved by the department head, taking into account the work load and staffing requirements of the department.
A make-up schedule must be negotiated and approved by the immediate supervisor and department head for classes attended during working hours. Overtime is not accrued as a result of make-up time. Mandatory enrollment fees may include, but are not limited to, resource, health service, building, incidental, technology, and course fees will apply.
For further information, see the Reduced Tuition Policies.

Staff Rate Exclusions

Excluded courses at Southern Oregon University:

Online MBA program
Online MSED program
Self-support courses
Contract or sponsored courses
High school/college programs
Study abroad programs: Global Student Teaching, IE3 Global Internships, OUS, NCSA/AHA International.

Self-support and contract courses can be identified by filtering the Session Code in the Advance Search function for Look Up Classes feature on the Student SISWeb link of inside.sou.edu. These courses also have an attribute that indicates the course is not eligible for discounted tuition.

To view a list of exclusions on other campuses, please visit their websites:

Transfer of Staff Fee Privileges

The Southern Oregon University Staff Fee Privileges program has been expanded to permit transfer of staff fee privileges to qualified family members (spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child). This policy will be administered by Human Resource Services under the guidelines set forth; under the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 580-022-0031. For further information, please see the Reduced Tuition Policies.

Due Dates and Fees Assessed

Staff Tuition Deadlines and Fee Information
Term	Employees	Transfer of Benefits	Payment Due Dates (To avoid late payment fees, minimum amount due by the following dates)
Fall 2024	Friday, September 20, 2024	Wednesday, September 11, 2024	Friday, October 4, 2024
Winter 2025	Wednesday, January 1, 2025	Tuesday, December 24, 2024	Friday, January 10, 2025
Spring 2025	Wednesday, March 26, 2025	Monday, March 17, 2025	Friday, April 4, 2025
Summer 2025	Wednesday, June 11, 2025	Monday, June 2, 2025

Fees
Fee	Staff Member	Family Member
Audit Fees
Building Fees		Yes
Course Fees	Yes	Yes
Health Service Fees		Yes
Recreation Center Fees	No	Yes
Incidental Fees		Yes
Late Payment Fees	Yes	Yes
Interest	Yes	Yes
Instructional Tuition	30% of resident undergraduate tuition (maximum of 12 credits if taken at another Oregon Public University (OPU) or by those employed by other OPU’s when taking courses at SOU)	30% of resident undergraduate tuition (maximum of 12 credits if taken at another Oregon Public University (OPU) or by those employed by other OPU’s when taking courses at SOU)
Online Delivery Fee	$65/credit hour for online courses	$65/credit hour for online courses

Please note – a $300 Matriculation fee applies to all newly admitted, degree seeking students.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid students utilizing staff fees must see a financial aid advisor. Students receiving financial aid and utilizing the staff fee privileges who completely withdraw from courses may be required to repay some or all of Title IV funds.

Forms

Employee Transfer of Benefits Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

Contact Information

Questions and concerns about eligibility should be directed to:

Michele Barlow
Southern Oregon University
Human Resource Services, Churchill Hall
541-552-8119
barlowm@sou.edu

Questions and concerns about staff rate fees should be directed to:

Eric Wilhite
Student Services Associate
Southern Oregon University
Raider Student Services, Britt Hall
541 552-6600

Contact HR

Churchill Hall 159
1250 Siskiyou Boulevard
Ashland, OR 97520
Email: hrs@sou.edu
Phone:(541) 552-8553
Fax: (541) 552-8505
Hours: M-F, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Request an Appointment