Miami's fiscally and "legally" very conservative.  Preventive heat
hit Miami U. about three years ago.
 
For those "faculty" teaching/working for us -- if we aren't paying
them through a Fed. I.D. #, then the university tracks payments to
them.  Once they hit 6 days of work or 6 "events", whichever comes
first, in a year, they become Miami U. employees for payment, state
retirement system (we're not on SS) and tax withholding purposes.
They've never been willing to define "in a year".
 
Once they become M.U. employees, my cost goes up about 35% for that
individual.
 
It hasn't caused a "problem" yet.  Most of the people I use have
Fed. I.D. #'s.  For the internal folks, it's a moot point.  Only one
person has converted, and she's a resource for us only in doing
certificates and name tents -- and only got up to her 7th event by
working most of them elsewhere on campus.
 
For those doing short programs (ours are residential), and many of
them, I can see where this could pose a problem.  Depending upon the
wording of any agreement you have with your speakers, it could also
lead some of these people to self-define themselves as
"employees, faculty, or worse", of your university, school or center
-- and why not?
 
Good luck!  Anyone else?
 
Bric A. Wheeler, Director
Center for Management Development
Richard T. Farmer School of Business Administration
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio  45056-1675
     Voice:  (513) 529-2132;  Fax:  (513) 529-6992
  Internet:  [log in to unmask]
          :  [log in to unmask]
       WWW:  http://www.MUOhio.Edu/~WheeleBA/