University of Virginia faculty and University staff who will receive salary increases will be notified by their schools or vice presidential units this week.
The raises take effect Nov. 21 and will be reflected in the Dec. 9 paycheck for University staff paid biweekly and in the Dec. 30 paycheck for faculty paid monthly.
The Board of Visitors approved a $3 million allocation in June, to address salary issues in order to retain the highest-performing University staff and faculty. The increases are intended as one way for the University to demonstrate the value it places on employees.
“The University of Virginia recognizes that people are our biggest investment,” said Michael Strine, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We would not be able to hold true to our mission of excellence in teaching, research, patient care and service without the dedication and innovation of our staff and faculty.”
The board allocated the funds despite ongoing budget cuts. The University’s 2011-12 budget reflects the effect of an ongoing weak economy, as it incurred a fifth round of state budget reductions in five years – the latest, almost $15 million – resulting in $51.5 million in total annual reductions, according to the 2011-12 budget summary for the University’s academic division.
About 5,300 University staff and faculty members, including teaching and research faculty, administrative and professional faculty and professional research staff, were eligible for the raises, based on several factors, with a highly rated performance the top priority for staff. Employees who switched in October from classified to University staff were among those eligible, but an increase was not guaranteed.
“The funds approved by the Board of Visitors were allocated to address a range of ‘strategic’ salary adjustments,” said Susan Carkeek, vice president and chief human resources officer. “Having experienced four years with no base salary increases, the school and units have latitude to apply the funds to their most critical retention issues. In addition to merit increases for high performers, the funds can also be used for market-based adjustments, for salary equity adjustments and other critical retention issues.”
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