Human Resources
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.
Completed forms should be sent to the 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.
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:
- Eastern Oregon University
- Oregon State University
- Oregon Institute of Technology
- Portland State University
- University Of Oregon
- Western Oregon University
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.
Forms
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.
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.
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
Due Dates
| 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 | Saturday, December 14, 2024 |
| Winter 2025 | Wednesday, January 1, 2025 | Tuesday, December 24, 2024 | Saturday, March 22, 2025 |
| Spring 2025 | Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | Monday, March 17, 2025 | Saturday, June 14, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | Monday, June 2, 2025 | Monday, September 22, 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 |
Contact HR
Churchill Hall 159
1250 Siskiyou Boulevard
Ashland, OR 97520
Email: hrs@sou.edu
Phone: (541) 552-8553
Fax: (541) 552-8505
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. [excluding university holidays]
Request an Appointment