Dear Colleagues:

For several years we have endured challenging economic times, so it is with great pleasure that I share some good news.

I am pleased to confirm that our budget does not call for temporary salary reductions in FY2012. As you may know, the state also approved a $750 bonus for FY2012 for regular employees of the state, including University System of Maryland (USM) employees.

The University of Maryland bonus plan, as approved by USM, calls for regular faculty and staff and contingent category II staff to receive the bonus. To be eligible, an employee must be on the payroll on both June 30 and July 1, 2011. The bonus will be paid as one lump sum in the July 22, 2011, paycheck for employees. Regular part-time faculty, staff and contingent category II employees will receive a prorated bonus.

As in recent years, the FY2012 budget does not include additional compensation in the form of cost-of-living (COLA) or merit increases, regardless of funding sources.

There has been much publicity about a state Voluntary Separation Plan (VSP) in FY2012. The state VSP did not apply to USM employees. After studying the possibility of adopting a VSP, USM has decided not to adopt its own VSP.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing dedication and hard work, and for maintaining your focus on serving our students and our university mission.

Sincerely,

Jay A. Perman, MD

President