Welcome Back, Raises Announced

Dear Faculty and Staff Members,

Welcome back! I hope that your semester is off to a good start. I’m delighted to see so many returning faces and new colleagues this fall.

Yesterday, I was invited to a meeting that the Provost held with our faculty. I shared that the University’s growth is strong in regard to our enrollment, our research funding and our auxiliary enterprises. We’ve focused on those growth areas while trying to weather the economic constraints of the last several years. And I’m glad to say we’ve been successful. While we did have to tighten our belt, we did not have to institute furloughs or layoffs and were able to stay focused on our academic core. I appreciate your patience and support for keeping our institution strong.

I also announced yesterday that raises would be forthcoming for all employees. First, everyone who received the $750 supplemental pay at the beginning of this calendar year will see that annualized into his or her base pay. So, what was a one-time supplement is now a permanent raise.

Secondly, we have allocated additional monies to provide raises. Faculty and unclassified staff will earn an average 4 percent increase effective January 1, 2015. Faculty raises will be based on the merit system that was approved in coordination with the Faculty Senate. We will use a similar merit process for unclassified employees. Classified staff will receive a 4 percent raise retroactive to October of this year.

Finally, allow me to thank you again. Each one of you invests in the University and I am grateful we can afford this opportunity to invest in you.

Let’s have a great year!

Sincerely,

E. Joseph Savoie
President
president@louisiana.edu