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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Visionaries:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The matter of salary competitiveness for higher
education has been high on my list of concerns. Yesterday, during the
Governor's State of the State address, he indicated he will recommend a 5%
merit-based increase for state employees. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Later, in his address, he recommended $12 million
to address higher education competitive salaries. I was delighted for a
while. Since these were mentioned separately, I believed them to be
separate recommendations.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Unfortunately, I have learned that the $12 million
and the 5% raise in salary funding are one and the same. I am disappointed
because I don't believe that a 5% increase in salary funding will be enough help
to address needs at the University to attract and retain outstanding professors
and researchers.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Of course, the Governor's recommendation is not the
final word. We await action from the Joint Finance Committee and the
Legislature.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Shirley Ringo</FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>