Pay Day Brings Merit Increases This July 31

July 23, 2014

The end of July in higher education signifies the coming of a new academic year, but for some Georgia Southern University faculty and staff members, this July 31 will hold double the excitement. July 31 marks pay day, and the first time since January 2009 that faculty and staff will receive merit increases. Earlier this year, Governor Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 744, a part of Georgia’s 2015 Fiscal Year Budget, at the foot of the University’s Marvin Pittman Administration building. Contained within Georgia’s nearly $21 billion state budget, Georgia Southern received $1,876,092. Of that amount, $829,095 was allocated for merit increases, which took effect July 1. The remainder of the increase was funded by Georgia Southern. "Our faculty and staff have continued to work diligently to make this one of the best universities in the country, in spite of not having a pay increase in more than five years,” said President Brooks Keel, Ph.D. “I think having the ability to provide a pay raise this year shows that the economy in the state is improving. It also indicates that the Governor, Legislature and our Board of Regents greatly appreciate the dedication and hard work of our faculty and staff." There are approximately 2,537 benefited faculty and staff employed by Georgia Southern University.