ETSU committee approves setting aside a 3% salary pool but delays implementation until November; preliminary July budgets show revenue growth linked to fee and,

Christie briefed the committee on the proposed 3% salary pool recommended by the governor; she said funding the pool requires approximately $5 million for the main campus, with the state historically funding about 55% (Christie cited roughly $2.8 million in the governor’s recommendation) and ETSU responsible for the remainder (about $2.2 million). Management recommended including the full 3% pool in the preliminary budget but delaying implementation until November when fall enrollment is final, using the same approach as the prior year.

Christie and other presenters said the university is conducting a class-and-compensation analysis tied to a new enterprise system implementation and that adjustments to salary ranges and job families could follow. Trustees raised concerns about salary compression and asked staff to prioritize equity and market alignment during distribution planning.

Christie presented preliminary spring estimates and July proposed budgets that fold in the proposed 3.8% tuition/fee increase and the 3% salary pool; main-campus revenue (excluding auxiliaries) is budgeted to increase about 4.7% July-to-July while expenses were budgeted to increase 4.9%. She flagged a $12.7 million expenses increase (about $5 million for salary, $2 million for benefits and taxes and $1.5 million for establishing a base budget for the Martin Center). The Quillen College of Medicine and Family Medicine line items were discussed as operating adjustments and transfers rather than reductions in resident slots.

After discussion, trustees approved setting aside the pool and directed staff to return with implementation details as enrollment and budget hearings progress.