Job Opportunities in CLAS FAQ
Compensation FAQ
SALARY AND FINANCIAL COMPENSATION
Salary and Financial Compensation
What is the starting salary?
Salaries at GVSU are competitive and calculated by a combination of position requirements, discipline, professional rank, and experience. The minimum starting salary for most TT faculty has been $64k and will be around $52k for affiliates.
What are the retirement benefits?
GVSU provides 12% into a retirement account automatically. Individuals are vested after 2 years of employment within a higher education institution. Faculty and staff can contribute additional funds.
FACULTY STATUS
What are the criteria for reappointment, tenure and promotion?
CLAS sets its tenure, reappointment promotion guidelines within the framework of the campus guidelines. Each unit also has discipline-specific requirements that align with college-level guidelines. The search committee chair can provide you with a copy of these unit guidelines.
INTERVIEW AND MOVING EXPENSES
Will GVSU cover interview expenses?
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will normally cover reasonable expenses for those living at a distance from the Grand Rapids area. These will include economy flight, mileage, meals, and overnight stays.
Will GVSU provide for moving expenses?
GVSU policy provides up to $4,000 for faculty. However, CLAS has a sliding scale between $2k-$4k depending on distance moved. These must be based on actual receipts. Under IRS regulations, amounts paid for amounts paid for the move do constitute a taxable benefit.
Does GVSU employ a moving company?
Grand Valley State University recommends the use of Corrigan Moving Company who has special discounts with Premier Mayflower and United Van Lines to assist you in relocating your household goods. A special rate has been established for GVSU faculty and staff to make your move both cost effective and well planned. Corrigan will provide pre-move information, cost estimates and scheduling assistance at no cost or obligation.
Does GVSU provide a relocation service?
To address all your relocation issues, you will need expert information and proper planning to make your move smooth and satisfying. Austin Relocation offers free comprehensive national and international relocation service. They also can assist you with selling your current home and purchasing your new home. As part of Grand Valley’s preferred partnership with Austin Relocation, we offer a credit up to $400 on your home inspection when working with one of our assigned agents. Austin Relocation has partnered with a broad and diverse network of real estate agents and relocation professionals who understand the needs of relocating families and may also offer preferred benefits.
Laker Line
TRANSPORTATION
What is the cost of parking?
Parking is free at all GVSU campuses. In August, you will be able to register your vehicle(s) for on-campus parking.
What are the other transportation benefits?
The Rapid bus is free with a valid student, faculty, or staff I.D. Card. It can be taken anywhere throughout Grand Rapids. Campus also offers a connector bus between the three locations with its own schedule.
Does GVSU have charging for electric vehicles?
Yes, there are multiple charging stations on campus.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
What health benefits are available?
GVSU offers comprehensive health benefits for individuals, couples or families using a PPO plan. There are two options: low deductible with premiums or high deductible with no premium. Both plans include yearly preventative check-ups, an eye exam once every 24 months, and routine shots at no cost. More detailed information is available at the GVSU Benefits Information Center website.
What dental benefits are available?
GVSU offers an affordable dental plan through Delta Dental. The dental plan includes yearly preventative care as well as more advanced care. Details on dental benefits are available from the GVSU Benefits Center.
What vision benefits are available?
GVSU's medical coverage includes routine preventative eye exams every two years, as well as discounts on your eye care purchases. GVSU also offers an enhanced vision plan through VSP. Faculty can enroll in VSP only during Open Enrollment, so new faculty will not be able to enroll during their new hire benefits enrollment that is effective 8/6.
Is there a flexible spending account option?
GVSU offers HSA and FSA options in line with IRS rules. Detailed information on flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts is available at the GVSU Benefits Information Center website.
What wellness options exist?
GVSU is committed to wellness and work life balance for faculty, staff and students. We offer information session, support groups, campus walks, and more throughout the year to help you meet your goals. GVSU has a work life coach and a wellness coach as part of our team!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH SUPPORT AND TUITION
What is the professional development funding?
GVSU provides $900 per year for each faculty member. There are many grants offered through the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center as well as other campus partners.
Are there grants to support professional development and/or dissemination?
The Faculty Teaching & Learning Center makes grants available to faculty to attend conferences and courses. A faculty member can apply every other year.
The Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence has many grants available to faculty members, including Dissemination Travel Grants. Dissemination grants can be applied for twice a year, for a maximum $1,000 per year.
Are there research support grants?
The Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence has many grants available to faculty members to support the development and dissemination of research. These grants include mini-grants, catalysts grants, time reassignment grants, pre-tenure supplement, collaborative research and creative activity initiative, open access publishing support and a book subvention fund.
What tuition benefits are there for faculty and staff at GVSU?
Faculty and staff can take courses at GVSU tuition free. Their immediate family get a 50% discount for programs at GVSU. No benefits are available for other institutions.
INCLUSION, EQUITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY
Is GVSU committed to Inclusion and Equity?
Grand Valley State University is committed to inclusion and equity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes and affirms the contributions of all students and employees. The university is guided by our framework for inclusion and equity. The university strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community for all. Inclusion and equity are essential to the university’s mission to empower learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose. Inclusion and equity are also essential to the university’s mission to enrich society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, advancement of equity, and public service.
Is GVSU an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution?
The University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution, consistent with its obligations as a federal contractor. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the University.
What GVSU employee affinity groups are currently active?
There are many employee affinity groups on campus. These groups are supported by the Division of Inclusion and Equity and the Human Resources department. A complete listing of affinity groups is available online.
Where can I find information on support services for those who need accommodations due to injury or disability?
The Disability Support Resources (DSR) office is available to assist all GVSU students, faculty, and staff who need permanent or temporary accommodations. Their mission is to provide support resources and accommodations that enhance the environment for persons with disabilities and to help educate the university community on disability issues.
The GVSU Human Resources office also works very closely with employees who need accommodations for a variety of reasons to ensure a comfortable and productive work environment.
How diverse is GVSU?
The Division of Inclusion and Equity maintains a dashboard of statistics and metrics on diversity.
Is CLAS committed to Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility?
Yes. In the CLAS Vision, Commitments and Action Plan, 2021-2025, the College’s first commitment is to centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and access: “We value and work to foster a community in which inclusion, equity, access, and respect for difference sustain, and are sustained by, a liberal education that is accessible to and beneficial for all.” CLAS is also committed to using the DEI-AB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging) framework to recognize and remove barriers to full participation and provide a safe, inclusive, and vibrant community for all in the College. Additionally, CLAS affirms the university’s Reach Higher 2025 commitment to a Culture of Educational Equity.
FAMILY AND CHILDCARE
Family and Childcare
Does GVSU have daycare facilities?
GVSU has a childcare facility on the Allendale campus. The Children’s Enrichment Center (CEC) operates as a pre-school for children ages 2.5 – 5 and also offers after school care for children up to age 12.
There are also a wide variety of childcare options available in the surrounding communities. GVSU has a list of resources that will assist you in finding the right childcare solution for your family. GVSU employees also have access to WeeCare, a service that helps locate licensed and quality early educator.
How can I find out about the schools in the region?
GVSU does not offer support about local schools. However, recent hires recommend Niche.com to find out about local school rankings and highlights. The site offers to “explore the best schools in your area based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.”
Are there other resources for parents?
From summer camps to family programming, there are many resources for parents and kids. Check out our webpage.
IMMIGRATION
Will GVSU consider non-U.S. citizens?
Grand Valley State University will support faculty hired into tenure-track or affiliate positions to acquire nonimmigrant work status and/or permanent residence. Although Grand Valley State University will support the efforts to attain nonimmigrant and/or immigrant status and will assist applicants as circumstances warrant, the responsibility for pursuing such status lies with the employee or prospective employee. No employee or prospective employee should presume that, because Grand Valley State University has agreed or may agree to sponsor an individual, the employee or prospective employee no longer has responsibility to manage his or her own immigration status. The GVSU Immigration Manager will assist you with these processes as needed.
FIND OUT MORE
Learn more about GVSU at the GVSU Policies website.