Faculty Relocation Guide for University Staff

Acquiring a new job often requires you to relocate to a new city. If you are a faculty member at a college or university then you will likely need to take a number of things into consideration before relocating to begin your career at a new school. The following faculty relocation guide will help you determine what you need to do in order to make your relocation a success. It is vital to remember that a relocation will affect more than just you; thus, this article will also take into consideration things to keep in mind when it comes to your family.

• Ask your College or University about Relocation Packages

  When negotiating your salary and benefits for your new position, you should make sure that you ask about relocation assistance. Prior to accepting an offer at a new school, make sure you ask them if they are willing to cover all of your relocation expenses.

  • If the school is willing to provide you with relocation assistance, you should make sure that you ask them if there are any attachments with the relocation package. Will you be required to pay the relocation expenses back? When accepting the relocation assistance, will you need to sign a contract that requires you to stat a certain amount of time at the position? These are question that you should ask when negotiating relocation assistance.

     

  • Determine what type of relocation assistance is provided. Will the school cover all of your expenses or a portion of them? Will you be allowed to select your own relocation company or will the school provide you with a preselected mover? These are all vital things to consider when determining what type of relocation package your future college or university is willing to offer you.

     

• Inquire about Housing Programs for New or Transferred Faculty

  Many educational institutions provide faculty with a housing program that helps to ease the transition into their new position. Such housing programs can make a relocation extremely smooth if you thoroughly understand the program.

  • Ask your future employer if they provide any housing on campus specifically for faculty. If they do, this housing may be offered at a discounted rate. Selecting such housing could help you and your family get better acclimated to your new surroundings.

     

  • Determine rather or not the university has enlisted the help of a professional realtor to assist new faculty members with finding a new residence.

     

  • Consult with your potential employer and see if they provide temporary housing. This option will prove to be extremely beneficial following your move to the new area. This will allow you to examine multiple locations before purchasing a home.

     

• Seek Employment Options for your Spouse

  When you relocate for a job, your spouse will typically need to find a new job. Coupled with a move, this can be an extremely trying task. However, with proper guidance, your spouse can successfully secure employment in your new home.

  • Ask if your new college or university has a trailing spouse program. Many schools provide assistance to spouses by either offering them potential jobs or helping them find employment elsewhere.

     

  • If your spouse is currently employed, then make sure they ask their employer if they can get transferred to another location.  If this is possible, that will allow your spouse to get adjusted to the area in a smooth manner.

     

  • Utilize various job search platforms such as Indeed, Monster, and Zip Recruiter, to search for employment opportunities in the area.

     

• Locate a New Family Doctor

  Following your relocation, you will need to find a physician that can meet both you and your family’s health needs. This is a process that should not be taken lightly. These are a few things to keep in mind during a faculty relocation.

  • Ask your current doctor to refer you to a physician in your new city. They will be able to provide you with a list of quality health care providers.

     

  • Check with your college or university and see if they provide new faculty members with some sort of physician referral service.

     

  • Research various information about things to look for and questions to ask when choosing a doctor.

     

• Thoroughly  Examine Tax Implications
  • When searching for a family doctor, ask your new colleagues for recommendations. Since they will likely be equipped with the same insurance provider and are familiar with the area, they will be able to give you quality advice. According to the IRS, a job relocation can result in a various tax deductions for your moving expenses. Because of this, you will need to thoroughly research what parts of your relocation will be eligible for a deduction and what steps you need to take to qualify.
  • If you need to relocate to begin your new job, in order for your move to be tax deductible it needs to pass the distance test. The distance between your previous home and your new job is required to be at least 50 miles farther from your previous employer to your new home is in order to qualify for tax deductions.

     

  • After your relocation, the IRS also requires you to work 39 weeks full time during the first year following your move.

     

  • The IRS will only allow you to deduct necessary moving expenses such as relocating household goods and traveling expenses (with the exception of meals). So, make sure that you really understand which expenses are tax deductible and which ones are not.

   

  If you have received an offer from an educational institution, then before accepting it, you should consult this faculty relocation guide. Knowing what to expect from a faculty relocation will prepare you thoroughly for a successful move to your new city. Relocating and acquiring a new home are both major life changes, but with proper planning and organizing, this process can be completed in a simplistic manner. This guide is your first step to reaching that goal.