Thank you, Jim. Good afternoon, everyone. I want to start by thanking all of you for the leadership you continue to show within your departments and across the university as we head into the final stretch of the spring semester.
Today, I will speak on:
- Market-based salary adjustments for faculty;
- The Faculty Recruitment and Retention Fund;
- Exploration of a 90-credit bachelor’s degree proposal;
- Progress on our strategic, master, and comprehensive fundraising campaign plans; and
- The upcoming Academic and Strategic Initiatives Briefings.
I am pleased to share that, following the market-based salary adjustments granted last academic year, we are in a position to make additional market-based adjustments this spring. These adjustments will be retroactive to January 1. Faculty receiving these adjustments will see them reflected in their May paychecks.
We are also looking at how to more effectively utilize the Faculty Recruitment and Retention Fund provided by the UNC System. This fund was established with the specific purpose of providing salary increases for recruiting and retaining faculty members at constituent institutions. In 2023, the fund received an additional $15 million in recurring state appropriations.
The System Office has continued to update guidelines to provide greater flexibility in how these funds are applied, though a number of stipulations remain regarding the recruitment and retention situations that qualify.
You may have seen news regarding a Request for Proposals from the UNC System Office exploring three-year, 90-credit bachelor’s degrees.
I want to emphasize that we are currently in the exploratory phase of this process. We are looking at programs that might be a fit for this model, but no decisions have been made. Chair Westerman and I are putting together a small working group. If we determine a program is viable, and our proposal is accepted by the System Office, we will use the working group to ensure our colleagues are central to the development and review process.
Across our campuses, we are making great progress on the planning phases for three interrelated initiatives that will guide our direction for the next decade:
- First, the Strategic Plan process is well underway. We have conducted a series of interviews and focus group sessions with faculty, staff, and students across the Boone, Hickory, and online campuses. Once all focus groups and surveys are complete, representative committees will compile the data and develop initial plan pillars and goals, with opportunities for feedback. The aim is to present the plan for a final vote by the Board of Trustees later this year.
- Updates to the Master Plan are also moving forward. This plan serves as a living guide for our physical infrastructure, ensuring our long-term development supports the strategic goals of the institution. We have already conducted workshops and a comprehensive survey to gather input from a wide group of constituents. Similar to the Strategic Plan, draft Master Plan goals and objectives will be shared for additional feedback, with a final vote by Trustees anticipated later this year.
- Finally, we are making steady progress in preparation for a Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign. It has been over a decade since our last campaign, and we are currently conducting a feasibility study. We are engaging university leaders, including deans and department chairs, about their strategic priorities to ensure our fundraising efforts align with our academic mission.
To wrap up my report, I hope you will join us for the 2026 Academic and Strategic Initiatives Briefings on Tuesday, April 21, from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the Grandview Ballroom.
This event is designed to provide an overview of the operations and goals of our colleges and divisions. I encourage you to attend, and for those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be available — the link will be shared the morning of the event.
Thank you for your time today, and for your continued partnership.
Chair Westerman, this concludes my remarks.