The West Virginia University Board of Governors approved pay raises for faculty and staff at WVU and its regional campuses Friday.

The salary increase, effective Oct. 1, will average 5 percent for both faculty and staff in Morgantown and at Potomac State College under the plan proposed by the WVU administration. Its the largest annual adjustment provided by the University to its employees since 1993, Provost Gerald Lang noted.

University employee pay has been increased an average of 2.6 percent over the past five years (this includes no increase in 2003), he said.

Faculty salary increases will be based on merit while classified staff salary increases will be governed by the legislatively mandated pay schedule. Those employees whose salaries are below $20,000 will be provided a minimum $1,500 annual adjustmentprovided their placement on the salary schedule will allow such an increase.

These proposed salary increases will add $16 million to the Universitys annual payroll. Of this additional amount, $8 million is funded through appropriations through the state legislature with the remaining $8 million generated primarily by enrollment and tuition increases.

We want to thank the state for providing resources to help cover part of the raise,Lang said.The magnitude of this raise is related to the fact that the state provided fundingthere was an increase in state funding to the University this yearand strong enrollment drove tuition and fees.

President-elect Mike Garrison, who officially takes over as WVU president tomorrow (Sept. 1), called it astep in the right directionand a significant one,adding that he and other University officials are committed to continuing to look at ways to make salaries more competitive on a national level.

I know from my conversations with faculty and staff that we need to go further in future budgets,he said.We cannot fall further behind the schools that compete with us for faculty, and we cannot continue to pay staff salaries that are not competitive in the tight Morgantown labor market. This will be a priority for the University as we move into the next budget year.

The board has approved employee salaries in all but one of the past 12 years, Lang pointed out, and Garrison is committed to funding the full funding of the salary schedule.

Faculty are working in an international market, and for us to attract and retain high-quality faculty, we need to keep investing in our faculty,Lang said.Its a matter of finding the resources to be able to fund the salary schedule.

We believe that we have treated both faculty and staff fairly and equitably,he added.Were pleased that were able to provide this type of raise. Were making this $16 million investment in our personnel. The hard work of everyone has allowed the enrollment to continue to rise; therefore, it allows us to make this investment.

University Budget

The board approved a 2008 University operating budget of approximately $767 million. Of this, $211 million is from state appropriations.

Presidents Report

David C. Hardesty Jr., who was given the title President Emeritus by the board, gave his final report as WVU president, thanking Chairman Stephen Goodwin, current and past board members, the presidents staff and regional campus executives for their service and support during his 12-year tenure.

From my perspective, the transition has gone very well,he said.Its been a smooth transition with very few problems. I think the personnel selections were done with great care, and I think the team is fit to lead the University well.

Hardesty concluded his remarks by reminding board members that WVU isone of the economic engines of the state. It is the leading innovator of the state. It provides leadership through education for the state.

Garrison echoed Hardestys sentiments about the transition:The transition in my observation has been smoothMy official start was July 1 as the president-elect, but Ive spent time really since April 13 working and transitioning out of my law practice, but also meeting with folks throughout the University community.

Other highlights of his report: Garrison has undertaken a comprehensive review of the operational budget and added new membersSteve Kite, Faculty Senate chair; Terry Nebel, Staff Council president; David Kirkpatrick, student body president; and Ed Pastilong, athletic directorto the Senior Management Team which meets regularly to discuss University issues.

Other Action:

• The board approved an average 3.5-percent pay raise for faculty and staff at WVU Institute of Technology and WVU at Parkersburg.

• WVU Tech officials reported the schools merger with WVU has resulted in substantial cost savings and many campus improvements. Freshman admission numbers are strong, renovations to a residence hall are complete, and several areas, including information technology and human resources, are benefiting from integration.

• The board approved a bachelor of arts degree program in multidisciplinary studies to be offered by WVU at Parkersburg beginning in January 2008. The program requires that students successfully complete 128 credit hours, including a general education curriculum; three minor areas; and a senior capstone course during the final semester of study. WVU s Morgantown campus offers a similar program.

• Two new members, Martinsburg businessman James Dailey and Wheeling newspaper executive Bill Nutting, were sworn in.

The boards next meeting is Nov. 2 in Morgantown.