Temple University announced today the creation of the Temple Employee Relief Fund. This new fund allows Temple employees to donate to their colleagues to help during times of emergency, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

To kick off the fund, the university is making an initial donation of $50,000 and is offering employees who wish to participate the ability to donate through either a one-time or recurring payroll deduction. Additionally, Temple University President Richard M. Englert announced that he and his wife are making a $5,000 personal contribution to the fund. 

“When a crisis hits, our community comes together,” said Englert. “At Temple University, we continue to seek out opportunities like this to get help to those who need it most.”

Englert said that in recent months, employees have reached out to ask what they can do to help, while others have requested support as they cope with additional financial strain related to the current public health crisis. Based on that feedback, Temple developed an approach to connect that goodwill with those who need it.

"The outpouring of support we've seen since the crisis hit is typical of Temple employees and is one of the key reasons the university is such a great place to work," said Sharon Boyle, associate vice president of Temple’s Human Resources Operations. "I'm so grateful to be part of this generous and caring community, and I'm excited about the impact we will make through our collective effort."

Employees in need of assistance will now be able to apply for grants worth up to $1,000 to cover expenses directly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be reviewed confidentially and approved grants will be paid to employees through payroll on a tax-free basis.

Those interested in learning about the program can visit the Temple Employee Relief Fund website.

The university has taken several steps in recent months to reign in its finances amid the current health crisis. University leadership announced that it avoided furloughs in May by reducing its spending and imposing a 10% salary cut for officers, deans and advisors to the president as well as reducing the compensation of non-bargaining unit employees earning more than $100,000 by 5%. Additionally, President Englert announced a 20% cut to his salary.

–Andrew Lochrie