President Caboni

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I’d like to share with you an important update that I announced moments ago to our Board of Regents. As you know, our fall 2020 enrollment far exceeded projections, and, at this time, we expect no additional state appropriation cuts through the end of the fiscal year. Enrollment stability, coupled with reduced spending across the university, have elevated WKU to a strong financial position as we enter the second half of fiscal year 2021. 

Since salary reductions were enacted in July as we prepared for an uncertain fall 2020 semester, we have remained committed to restoring salaries as soon as fiscally feasible to do so. Due to your hard work and persistence, we are now in a place to make that shift.

Today, I am happy to share with you that all university-wide, centralized salary reductions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will end this month. Additionally, faculty and staff will receive reimbursement for the amount withheld since July 1. Therefore, on December 18, your paycheck will include your fully restored salary for December, as well as a retroactive payment for salary reductions made July through November.

In order to continue to meet and exceed our budget targets through the end of the fiscal year, we must remain diligent throughout the spring semester in the execution of the same hiring and controlled spending practices we implemented so well this fall. It’s clear that small, incremental contributions from across the university result in significant, collective savings. I’m confident that we can redouble those efforts and continue the good work we’ve done this semester.

Thank you for your shared sacrifice to help address the projected budget shortfall. I am so proud of the way in which our faculty and staff came together to do what’s in the best interest of our institution and our students, even in the face of unprecedented adversity, and I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of such a special family.

As we near the holiday break, I hope that you use the time away from work to unwind and safely enjoy time with family and friends.

Go Tops!

Best,

Timothy C. Caboni