Furlough relief from spring game contributions

Clemson University employees who are experiencing financial hardship from the mandatory five-day furlough will have one more opportunity to apply for relief thanks to the generosity of Clemson football fans.

Clemson is now accepting applications for the more than $7,000 collected at the April 11 spring football game. Head Coach Dabo Swinney asked for “All In” buckets to be placed at the entrance gates, and a record crowd of 24,000 attendees demonstrated their support.

“I am glad that the football program was able to help raise these funds for some of the people that help us so much, often in ways unseen,” said Swinney. 

Under the original Furlough Relief Fund guidelines, only permanent, full-time employees could apply. More than $71,000 was awarded January 2009 to 158 individuals. A change in the guidelines for Round 2 has opened the fund to ALL employees, with priority given to those applicants at the lowest end of the pay scale.  

Those who applied during Round 1 will be reconsidered without filing a new application; however, no one will receive more than they lost in earnings due to the mandatory furlough.

Clemson is NOT ACCEPTING additional contributions to the Furlough Relief Fund. This reopening of the fund represents disbursement of the one-day contributions collected at the spring game.

The university has reassembled the same team of fund managers to oversee the selection process: Cecil Huey, professor emeritus of mechanical engineering; Holley Ulbrich, professor emeritus of economics; and Dick Simmons, retired director of human resources.  

Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. Funds will be distributed as soon as possible to employees in greatest need.