University of North Texas

Oct. 5, 2015

Dear UNT faculty and staff,

As you know, recruitment and retention are top priorities for us. Thanks to everyone’s commitment and diligence, we met our recruitment and retention goals and exceeded our enrollment expectations for FY 2016. As a result, we started this academic year with record-setting enrollment.

To acknowledge your hard work accommodating our largest incoming class, growing enrollment and your commitment to student success, we will increase the merit distribution pool from 2 to 2.5 percent to support our outstanding faculty and staff. We also are reserving additional funds for faculty equity considerations.

Any merit raises awarded will go into effect Nov. 1, 2015, and will be included in paychecks beginning Dec. 1, 2015. The guidelines for awarding merit raises will be sent to departments soon.

Achieving record-setting enrollment means our budget is strong, and we can continue to make important investments in our employees. Increasing the merit distribution pool is a great way to share our university’s success and to recognize the role that you play every day in helping us to recruit and retain our students. This has been a great team effort and we want to show our appreciation by acknowledging your achievements.

Thank you for all that you do to support our students and keep our university moving forward.

UNT Proud,

President Neal Smatresk
Provost Finley Graves