Dear colleagues:



In a year of challenges, our faculty and staff have helped the University of Illinois System continue to flourish as a world-class incubator of talent and a key engine of progress. Our student enrollments grew this year, and our faculty and staff have excelled in discovery and teaching. Despite the state’s fiscal challenges, I am pleased to announce that we are implementing a modest mid-year salary program to recognize our employees’ commitment and dedication.



A competitive compensation program is essential to recruit and retain top faculty and staff who are at the core of our excellence. Our people are among our highest priorities. We have all worked hard to steward our resources effectively in the face of decreased state funding, and that work will help us fund this program.



The 2 percent, merit-based salary program will be effective in February and reflected in the March payroll. It was developed through extensive consultation over the last several months with our chancellors, provosts, deans and faculty leaders. This performance-based salary program will be applicable to most academic and open-range civil service employees, except for employees whose wages are set through the collective bargaining process and employees who have had a recent significant pay increase.



Administrative leadership at each university and in System offices will communicate details of the program and the implementation timeline in January.



Thank you for everything that you do for the University of Illinois, and I wish you the very best this holiday season.



Sincerely,



Tim