RECEIVED JUL 2 5_2024 BY:.. urgnsy  ORIGNAL  Board ofCommisioners Agenda Item Transmittal Form Procurement/Contratt Transmittal Form  Type of contract: 1yearD Multi-year X Single Event D Contract #:  BOCApproval Date:  Submission Information Contact Name: Jazz Schools Department: Talent Management  Vendor Information Vendor Name: Eastern Kentucky University  Project' Title: Educational Partnerships - Memorandum Address: 521 Lancaster. Ave.  ofUnderstanding partnership  Whitlock 144/ /CP054 Richmond, KY 40475  Funding Account Number: No funding required to enter  Address:  Email: BentonshireyeeAuedu Phone #: 859-622-2264  Contract amount: N/A  ContractType: Goods0) Services (X) Grant( 0  Contract Action: New (X) Renewal0) Change Order0) Contact: Benton Shirey  Original Contract Number:  Term of contract: 3 Year's  CFO and COO Signatures Ihave reviewed the: attached contract, and thea amounti is approve for processing. ChiefPinancial Officer aulkps  Procurement Manager Signature Ihave reviewed the: attached contract, andi itisi in compliance with Purchasing Policies of Rockdale County.  0-11-2024 Date  Signature:  Date:  Blapp  dinamalore  Detailed Summary of Contract:  The Memorandum of Understanding is between Eastern Kentucky University and Rockdale County to enter at free educational partnership that would provide Rockdale County employees a tuition discount at the post-secondary  institution.  Department Head/Elected Official Signature: Jomy Oddmu  Date: 1/25424  20-481    MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING  This] Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) is entered into on this day of  ,2024,  by and between Eastern Kentucky University ("EKU") and Rockdale County Government, with an address of 958 Milstead Ave, Conyers, GA 30012. to formalize Rockdale County Government's participation in the EKU Advantage program, which shall provide a pathway to  educational advancement for Rockdale County Government employees.  WHEREAS, both parties to this MOU believe that providing a pathway to educational advancement increases the confidence, technical skill, and loyalty of employees as well as provides a wealth of benefits to employees and their families, helping employees budget. for and fund higher  education degrees;  WHEREAS, the EKU Advantage program offers Rockdale County Government an exclusive, unique educational advantage and cost savings for its employees while enhancing employeel benefits and further positioning Rockdale County Government as a desirable work place that values education as a  means to propel its workforce forward; and,  WHEREAS, Rockdale County Government participation in the EKU Advantage program shall mitigate procedural concerns, streamlining enrollment, registration, and financial aid processes, to ease the stress on the employee inj planning their educational pathway and allowing the employee to devote moretime to the work at hand, and shall further) EKU's mission all while delivering real value tol Rockdale  County Government and its employees. THEREFORE, thej parties agree as: follows:  1. Rockdale County Government will partner with EKU as aj provider of post-secondary education (bachelor's, master's and doctorate) ofRockdale County Government employees through thel EKU 2. An eligible Rockdale County Government employee shall receive a 25%1 flat rate discount in tuition and free books under thel EKU BookSmart Program, forj participating int the EKU. Advantage program. This discount shall not be combined with any other scholarship awarded tot the employee by EKU. Additional non-tuition expenses related to enrollment: in any of EKU's online or on- campus courses shall not be discounted and shall be the responsibility of the Rockdale County Government student employee participating in the EKU. Advantage program. 3. Withini thel EKU admissions application, Rockdale County Government employees shall self-identify as corporate partner employees and provide employment qualification letters or other written proof ofeligibility tol EKU. Eligible employees shall receive enhanced customer service assistance from EKU related to admissions and registration in online or on-campus courses as well as: financial aid and scholarship applications. All eligible employees shall be admitted at EKU's sole discretion after 4. Unless tuition has been waived in accordançe with the terms established in paragraph (2)ofthis  Advantage program;  meeting university and program requirements.    MOU, tuition for all online or on-campus courses enrolled in through the EKU. Advantage program shall be paid by thel Rockdale County Government student employee in accordance with all due dates and processes established by EKU's Student Accounting Services and published at smudmlaccountingckuadn. Any Rockdale County Government student employee that fails to pay a bill ini full by the required due date shall be subject to late fees, as established by EKU's Student Accounting Services, and registration! holds, which prevent the student employee from registering for any çourse in any semester until the student employee's: account: is up to date. 5. Thel EKU Advantage program is a scholarship program that will be reported as required by law on the student employee's! EKU: financial account and required tax forms. Ins addition to the tuition benefit outlined inj paragraphs (1) through (5) ofthis MOU, Rockdale County Government employees shall also be eligible to receive at twenty percent (20%) discount when enrolling in any training provided by EKU's Workforce Development and/or thel EKU OSHA Training Institutel Education Center. Rockdale County Government may also access free customized price quotes, based on company needs, for group enrollments by contacting Susan Cornelius 7. This MOU may be terminated at any time upon ten (10) days written notice. Ifthis! MOUis terminated, Rockdale County Government student employees shall be permitted to complete enrollments in online or on-campus courses at EKU during any semester already inj progress and shall remain eligible for the tuition benefit as outlined in paragraphs (1) through (6) ofthis MOU: for 8. This MOU: shal! be effective for a three-year period beginning May 1,2 2024 and, thereafter, shall automatically renew every third May 1, for an additional three-year period unless and until terminated in accordance withi the terms established inj paragraph (7) ofthisMOU. 9. Rockdale County Government shall include information about thel EKU Advantage program in onboarding, open enrollment, and other similar communications to employees related to employment benefits and shall permit EKU to send periodic communications for the duration oft this MOU for the purpose of sharing information about important starting and ending dates and thel EKU 10. Iti is understood and agreed to by the parties that neither party to this MOU shall be legally liable for any negligent or wrongful acts, either of commission or omission, ofthe other, unless suchl liability isi imposed by law, and this MOU shall not be construed as seeking to either enlarge or diminish any obligation or duty owed by one party against the other or against third parties. 11. Both parties agree to comply with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. Neither party shall engagei in unlawful discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, unfavorable discharge from the military, protective order status, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran oft the Vietnam era. 12. Thet terms and conditions ofthisN MOU: may only be amendedi by mutual written consentofboth; parties.  Gusn.omelu@ehuada or 859-622-6216).  that semester only in which the termination occurs.  Advantage program.    13.1 Noj party shall assign its respective rights or obligations under this MOU without prior written consent ofthe other party.A Any purported assignment or delegation in violation oft this MOU shall be void. 14, The parties are independent contractors. Neither party nor their employees shall be deemed to be an employee, agent, partner, or legal representative oft the other for any purpose and neither shall have any right, power or authority to create any obligation or responsibility on behalfoft the other, 15. This MOUi is the final and exclusive! MOU between the parties. All prior negotiations and MOUs are 16.ffany term or portion of this MOUis declared invalid, the invalid portion shall be deemed to be severed and all remaining provisions of this MOU shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent 17. This MOUshall be construed in accordance with thel laws ofthe Commonwealth ofKentucky without IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this MOU, effective as oft the last date  superseded by this MOU.  permitted by law.  regard to conflict of laws principles.  written below. Approved By:  Oibo on NrbH, K, Choivna  Printed Name and Title Y Signature  Date Signed  EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY:  Approved By:  Benton D. Shirey, Director. Corporate Educational Partnerships  Printed Name and' Title Signature  Date Signed  ATTEST:  Jennifer O. Rulledge, County Clerk  Approveda ast tof form M. Qader A. Balg, County Attorney