Update on State Budget
Good Morning, Faculty and Staff:
Today, Governor Pat McCrory signed the budget approved by the House of Representatives earlier this month. While we are still in the very early stages of understanding exactly what this will mean for our campus, I wanted to share with you some of the things we know at this time.
This year’s budget provides for a $1,000 salary increase for all employees classified as SPA and five days of one-time leave for all permanent leave-earning state employees. It is important to note, unlike previous years, this leave may be carried forward beyond this fiscal year. The Office of Human Resource Services will share more details about this leave in the near future.
Unfortunately, raises for EPA employees, which include both faculty and non-faculty, were not fully funded. While I am pleased that the legislature has recognized and compensated the vital work of our SPA employees, EPA faculty and staff are critical to the success of our mission. I assure you that I will continue my efforts to work with the UNC system and the General Assembly to meet the critical need for future salary increases for all of our employees. This is paramount in ensuring that Appalachian can recruit and retain the best faculty and staff.
I am very pleased to share that Appalachian received $3 million to assist with planning for the College of Health Sciences building. Funding for state capital projects was extremely limited this year and we are very grateful to the members of the General Assembly for their support of this important campus priority. The budget also directs Appalachian to use up to $2.2 million in non-state funds to complete the planning, and to submit financing options for construction and operation of the facility to the Board of Governors and the Office of Fiscal Research at the General Assembly by October 1.
Thank you for all you do for our university and, as more information becomes available, I will keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Sheri N. Everts
Chancellor
