Fortunately for some Iowa State faculty and P&S (professional and scientific) staff who meet the requirements, a boost in October payroll will be implemented.

A portion of the nearly $680,000 in supplemental funds was allocated from the state of Iowa this month, thus enabling the boost. The figure reduces part of a $1.7 million shortfall in compensation (salary and benefits) increase dollars to ISU dating back to July, according to a university press release.

The remainder of the shortcoming is anticipated to be made up by the state and would be allocated no more often than quarterly, according to university officials.

Rabindra Mukerjea, assistant to the president for budget planning and analysis, said eligible faculty members include those faculty and P&S staff who are continuing in their employment from fiscal year 1996 and are still on the payroll in October.

Another factor is that those employees who received an increase of 1.33 percent or less this year are not eligible for supplemental funds, Mukerjea said.

“Right now I’m in the process of having the detailed policy put on the Web. Anyone…would be able to look at that and see all of the different pieces that make up the policy. It is based on what increases they’ve received already,” Mukerjea said.

The additional dollars came from a state health insurance rebate reserve fund, the press release stated.

According to the policy, the additional compensation dollars will be distributed in the October payroll in the form of an across-the-board percentage which is calculated on fiscal year ’97 salaries.

The exact percentage of the increase is not known yet because not all employees will receive a supplemental salary adjustment. It is expected to be in the vicinity of 0.4 percent, according to a press release.

Mukerjea has been working in association with Provost John Kozak and the Vice President of Business and Finance, Warren Madden, on the policy since the third week in August. “We did consult with the faculty senate budget committee. They have been kept informed,” Mukerjea said.

According to university officials, the additional dollars will become part of the base salaries of all employees receiving them, but the final base salaries for fiscal year ’97 will be determined next spring.

Those factors in that decision include the amount of total supplementary salary funds ISU receives and whether the state restores additional dollars to base salaries as the fiscal year ’98 budget takes shape in the spring, a press release stated.