As many of you know, in July UCF received a $5.3 million cut to our state budget. This cut was our prorated share of a budget cut the entire State University System received.
Although the cut was not related to UCF’s construction spending issues, its additive effect made an already lean university budget even more difficult. Since July, our goal has been to develop a budget plan that 1) ensures students are not impacted by this cut and 2) allows us to recognize the hard work of our faculty and staff through additional pay.
We’ve succeeded with the first goal and have achieved the second goal, albeit modestly.
Despite the budget cut, I have approved a one-time payment of $1,000 for all eligible faculty and staff members who are not represented by a union. The payments will be included in paychecks on November 22.
Please visit the Human Resources website for information about eligibility requirements.
Negotiations are ongoing with AFSCME representing in-unit USPS employees, and updates will be shared as soon as available.
Faculty members who are represented by the United Faculty of Florida negotiated a 1.25 percent raise to be included in paychecks on October 11. A second 1.25 percent raise for union faculty members was contingent on the availability of new state funds, but the budget cut does not allow UCF to proceed with that additional raise.
Paid Days Off
In recognition of the contributions faculty and staff members have made this year, I have approved six paid days off in December.
The university will be closed for official business starting Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, January 1. Eligible employees will be paid for those days. These six paid days off are in addition to state holidays on December 25 and January 1.
Please talk with your supervisor for more details about how these paid days off apply to you.
It’s not an exaggeration to say this was one of the most unusual and stressful years in our university’s history. Our job is to do everything we can to create a better future for our students, community and UCF.
Because of you, I know we are doing exactly that.
Charge On!
