Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - During a called meeting today, the Board of Regents at Stephen F. Austin State University approved a $1 million amendment to the fiscal year 2007 university budget that will provide a 2.5 percent merit salary pool for faculty and staff effective Jan. 1, 2007.

The board authorized a 1 percent merit salary pool for the fiscal 2007 budget during the April board meeting.

Interim President Dr. Baker Pattillo proposed the mid-year merit pay pool after overall university enrollment grew by 2.8 percent during the fall semester.

"I pledged to the faculty and staff this fall that I would look at a mid-year pay increase after the 1 percent merit pool that was approved for
this year's budget," said Pattillo.

In early January, university supervisors will determine a distribution of the merit pay pool among faculty or staff in their areas. Pay increases will appear on employees' checks beginning Feb. 1, 2007.

"We have a dedicated faculty and staff at Stephen F. Austin State University, and I'm thrilled that enrollment growth this fall has enabled us
to make this additional 2.5 percent merit raise pool available," said Pattillo.

In other business, the Board of Regents toured current campus construction projects and heard a presentation on bonds issuance by the Texas Public Finance Authority and First Southwest Financial Advisors.