Message from Interim Provost Gertler to Deans

Memorandum

Dear Deans,

With the state budget now approved for FY27, I write to provide guidance on the merit increase process for members of the faculty and the professional research staff, as well as graduate assistants. As a follow-up to this memo, Maggie Peña Harden will send more specific information about eligibility, along with additional details directly to your administrative associate deans.

Schools should use an average 3.5 percent increase for the entire eligible population authorized by the University for the 2026-2027 cycle. Deans may increase compensation for additional populations as they deem appropriate, provided that their school has sufficient financial resources.

Annual salary increase decisions should be grounded primarily in employee performance, a.k.a. merit. Additional factors may include, but are not limited to internal parity, external market, promotions, specialized knowledge or disciplinary expertise. Schools and units are expected to adopt approaches that align with their distinct missions, strategic priorities, and operating environments. While methodologies may vary, decision makers should apply compensation practices consistently, fairly, and impartially, with appropriate attention to the stewardship of institutional resources.

Each dean, or their delegate(s), should submit a merit increase plan for approval by Monday, July 27, 2026. There are two parts to this plan.

• A merit increase narrative, to be submitted to Maggie Peña Harden for Provost’s office review no later than July 27 (preferably sooner). The narrative should contextualize individual and cumulative merit recommendations for academic faculty, including any proposed deviation from the authorized average. Deans should include a brief description of their approach to any increases for wage faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and graduate research assistants. In addition, please provide a brief explanation as to how you will accommodate the proposed increases from a budget perspective.
• A spreadsheet with individual-level merit recommendations. By July 10, UVA HR will provide a spreadsheet to each school along with directions for submission.

Merit plans will be reviewed for approval on a rolling basis, and all plans will be reviewed by August 7. As soon as schools receive notice that their plans have been approved, they may share information about salary increases with their faculty.

If you have any questions, please contact Maggie Peña Harden.

With deep thanks for your collaboration,

Brie

Brie Gertler

Interim Executive Vice President and Provost