NORMAL – NIU employees called to service in the Gulf will collect their salaries and keep benefits, minus their service pay.

Extending pay and benefits wqas unanimously approved at last week’s Board of Regents meeting in Normal. The move covers anyone called up before the policy was approved as well as in the future.

According to the state and university rules, the policy does not cover temporary civil service employees. Also, permanent civil service employees must be working for six months before being eligible.

The Regents reserved the right to issue any guidelines or interpretations and to change or end the policy at any time.

If the draft is started, it does not extend to drafted employees.

The policy assures reservists of no loss of pay, benefits, seniority or status if called to service. The Regency policy mirrors the state’s.

NIU, Illinois State University in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield are expected to report the number of employees and students called to the Gulf for the Regents’ March meeting.