Human Resources is dedicated to serving the needs of the Augusta University community, providing innovative solutions, and delivering an exceptional employee experience.
In July, eligible Augusta University employees will begin receiving a $2,000 Cost-of-Living
Adjustment (COLA) recently approved by Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General
Assembly.
Who is eligible?
The $2,000 salary increase is for all active, regular, benefits-eligible faculty and
non-academic staff at Augusta University actively employed on July 1, 2023. The increase
will be prorated based on employees’ work hours. Employees not receiving benefits,
including temporary and those working less than 30 hours, are not eligible for the
increase. There may be exceptions to the eligibility population based on unit structure and
funding.
When will the COLA increase take effect?
Eligible employees paid biweekly will see the rate increase in their July 14 paychecks.
Eligible employees paid monthly will see the rate increase in their July 31 paychecks.
Eligible faculty on academic year contracts will see the increase on their August
31 paychecks.
The $2,000 salary adjustment is for all regular fully benefited (30+ standard hours)
faculty and staff of the USG who are actively employed on July 1, 2023. The adjustment
will be prorated based on full-time equivalency (FTE). Non-benefited employees, including
temporary and those working less than 30 hours are not eligible for the adjustment.
There may be exceptions to the eligibility population based on unit structure and
funding.
The adjustment is effective July 1, 2023. Eligible employees will receive the $2,000
COLA if they are actively employed on or before July 1st.
Those hired after July 1st will not be adjusted and institutions should appropriately
review and offer compensation as appropriate.
The $2,000 salary adjustment is only intended to cover the standard contract and not
summer earnings.
The $2,000 cost of living salary adjustment (hourly rate adjustment of $0.96154/hour
at 1 FTE) will be updated in job data effective 7/1/2023. The rate for all hourly
employees (9,10, or 12 months) will be calculated in the same manner and based on
the dollar amount paid for the role per hour.
No, they must be actively employed in the eligible position on July 1st to receive
the adjustment.
The COLA base salary adjustment will be subject to all applicable FICA Taxes, Federal
Income Tax, and State Income Tax. Federal and State Income tax will be withheld at
the employee’s normal tax rate.
Yes, the base pay adjustment is eligible for retirement benefits.
Employees who are paid monthly will receive the salary adjustment, benefits adjustment,
and premium adjustment for short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD),
and supplemental life insurance (SLF) coverage reflected in the 07/31 pay date.
Employees who are paid on a bi-weekly basis will receive the salary adjustment effective
7/1; however, the corresponding benefit and premium changes to STD, LTD, and SLF coverage
will be reflected in the 07/14 pay date.
Yes, cost of living adjustments that are approved through the legislative budget process
and USG policy may exceed the established range and should be documented by the institution.
No. The employee must be in active HR status during the pay period associated with
the payment date to be eligible. Institutions may not change the separation or retirement
date of an employee solely for the purpose of eligibility.
Employees who are transferred or promoted into an eligible position and begin work
on or before July 1, 2023, will be eligible to receive the $2,000 COLA increase to
base salary.
Those transferred or promoted after July 1st will not be adjusted and institutions should appropriately review and offer compensation
as appropriate.
HR has coordinated with the Shared Service Center to load the July 1, 2023 salary
increases. No action is required by the department.
AU does not anticipate receiving new funds for positions funded on non-state fund
sources. Departments should fund eligible employees using existing resources.
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Augusta University has partnered with Skillsoft to offer full-time university faculty,
staff, and student assistants a variety of free web-based courses, books, videos,
and assessments available through the Percipio content library. Percipio is Latin for "learn." This new immersive learning platform is designed to make learning easier, more accessible,
and more effective.