Professional News

Program in C.R.I.S.I.S.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 10, 2011) -- The University of Kentucky Crisis Relief in Situations Involving Staff (C.R.I.S.I.S.) program allows staff to donate money that will help other university staff members who are experiencing financial hardship. 

Employees can contribute to this program through payroll deduction – a minimum of $2.31 per paycheck for employees paid biweekly or $5 per paycheck for employees paid monthly. The program also accepts personal checks for a one-time donation.  The funds donated go directly to UK staff members who need temporary financial assistance; they can receive a one-time payment of up to $500.

This program was developed when the UK Staff Senate addressed the issue of what could be done to assist fellow staff members who were having financial difficulty. After the staff issues committee evaluated this need, members decided to create a subcommittee to develop a program to provide financial assistance to UK staff members who are experiencing hardships. This subcommittee consisted of Ann Bassoni, Robynn Pease, Debbie Burton, Melanie Fee, Sandra Gayhart, Pierre Smith, Terry Olson, John Buzzard, Jann Burks, Bart Miller, Charlotte Taylor, Randy Boyer, and Terri Crocker. This group worked diligently to create the C.R.I.S.I.S. program, which launched in December 2010.

Since the launch of this program, 11 staff members have received a total of $3,260.73 in assistance.  The funds have been used to help pay rent, mortgages, utilities, and medical expenses. Currently the program only receives donations from 27 monthly employees and 24 biweekly employees. 

Subcommittee members say the program needs more employees to donate so that funds can be distributed to more deserving applicants.

Visit http://www.uky.edu/HR/WLC/crisis_program.html for more information about making a donation or applying for financial assistance.