Ohio State is distributing $375 cash payment to some full-time staff. Credit: Jack Westerheide | Photo Editor

Some full-time staff at Ohio State will have something extra to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. The university announced Wednesday that about 8,700 full-time staff will receive a one-time $375 cash distribution.

The payout applies to full-time staff — which are university workers who manage the day-to-day operations such as dining staff and facility operations — at Ohio State who have been employed since at least April 1, earn less than $120,000, and have either a successful or satisfactory performance rating in 2017. The recipients will receive the payment Nov. 24 or Nov. 30, based on their pay schedules.  

It does not apply to employees of the Wexner Medical Center or any type of faculty. According to a statement, the medical center already “administered its established appreciation program separate from this cash distribution.”

An email from University President Michael Drake was also sent Wednesday to those eligible notifying them of the forthcoming payment and thanking them for their contributions.

“Paying forward through excellence is essential to who we are as Buckeyes. Our exceptional staff help define what it means to be a leading national flagship public research university in the 21st Century,” Drake said.

Ohio State said the payment is meant to recognize university staff for their collective contributions toward the university’s long-term “strategic plan” and the “continuing success of the university’s innovative funding and efficiencies program.”

The innovative funding and efficiencies refer to the influx of upfront money Ohio State received from its comprehensive energy deal, forming the Ohio State Energy Partners in the spring, university spokesman Ben Johnson said.

Faculty — which is generally teachers and professors — not receiving the payment can expect their own perk coming soon.

“Significant opportunities for faculty compensation enhancements are forthcoming,” he said. “Details are being finalized, and will be communicated to faculty directly.”