Moving Allowance

EMU may provide an allowance to assist new full-time faculty and administrative staff with a portion of the costs of relocating at least 50 miles either to the Harrisonburg area or another EMU location to accept employment with EMU. This policy is intended to aid in recruiting and relocating exceptional candidates for critical university positions. Faculty hired at the instructor level and above under the fixed-interval contract system, and staff compensated on the “administrator” or “coaches” salary scales may qualify for the allowance. The allowance is not an entitlement, and in all cases must be documented in the formal employment offer.

Eligible costs for the allowance include the reasonable costs of moving household goods and personal effects from the former residence to the new residence, and the amounts you paid for travel (transportation and lodging) from your old home to your new home. Where transportation involves the use of your personal vehicle, mileage is allowed at the rate specified for moving by the IRS ($0.70 per mile in 2025). Costs of packing and packing materials, loading, transportation, and unloading of household goods and personal effects are eligible for the allowance. All other costs including unpacking, house hunting trips, and temporary living costs are not eligible expenses.

The maximum amount of the allowance will be equal to one/twelfth (1/12th) of the person’s initial annual salary. On occasion, the university may recruit and hire two persons from the same family. In this circumstance, only one moving expense allowance is permitted. Moving expenses need to be adequately accounted for on an expense report (receipts) and submitted for reimbursement within 60 days after the expense was paid or incurred.