Dear Kent State University Staff,
My deepest thanks for the outstanding work that you have done since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last March. Your steadfast commitment to exemplary work contributed to a successful Fall Semester 2020 and the smooth transition into Spring Semester 2021.
When the pandemic forced us to revise our budget in June, you did your part by accepting a reduced salary – a sacrifice that helped Kent State balance the budget and remain fiscally strong. Because of our conservative approach to budgeting for Fiscal Year 2021, including the stringent control of expenses, better than expected spring 2021 enrollment and vital COVID-19 federal relief funding, we are now able to fully restore all wages back to what they were on June 30, 2020. Beginning with the Feb. 12, 2021, paycheck, all staff salaries will be fully restored going forward. In addition, all wage amounts affected by the salary reduction will be restored retroactively from July 1, 2020. You will receive these wages in a lump sum payment in your first paycheck in March.
This wage restoration will neither remove nor reduce the additional leave that was provided for your use by the end of the current fiscal year.
I appreciate the sacrifices each of you has made during these challenging times.
Members of our Cabinet and I will donate all or a portion of our restored salaries to the Kent State Scholarship Fund and to other scholarship funds. If you wish to do so, please consider making a gift to support the Kent State Scholarship Fund, which addresses the critical needs of our entire student body – from access through completion – and benefits students in all degree programs on all campuses.
Thank you for your hard work and unwavering commitment to helping our students and their families as they endure the ongoing pandemic. Your spirit epitomizes our Flashes Take Care of Flashes commitment. Here’s to a great spring semester.
Sincerely,
Todd Diacon
President