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Oblinger praises
employees
for contributions to university
Chancellor James L. Oblinger praised campus employees for their contributions to the university and vowed to continue working to improve salary and benefits for all workers.
Speaking at Staff Senate’s October meeting on Wednesday, Oblinger said salary and benefit issues are a top priority with the North Carolina legislature.
“Your chancellor, the other chancellors in the system and the Office of the President of the UNC system are going to continue to make salaries for our employees – faculty and staff – a very high priority,” Oblinger said.
Oblinger noted the university recently adjusted the minimum salary for university staff to $10 per hour, which is equivalent to $20,800. The adjustment was $588 more than the state-mandated minimum salary increase of $20,212.
Salary increases are especially important in light of the rising costs of benefits. Oblinger acknowledged raises haven’t kept pace with inflation and said salary increases are also offset by higher benefits costs.
Oblinger said university, state and legislative officials are also exploring ways to improve benefits packages for employees.
“Know that we are working on several fronts,” Oblinger said.
The chancellor also updated staff on the recently announced billion-dollar Achieve! capital campaign.
“With three years to go, we’ve already raised $836 million,” Oblinger said. “We have been very, very successful, and we are certainly going to break through the billion-dollar mark and go even higher. That signals the confidence people have in NC State.”
Oblinger also listened to some concerns of the staff, which reflected his own concerns regarding salary and benefits. One senator inquired about Erskine Bowles, the new UNC system president who takes office Jan. 1.
Oblinger praised Bowles’ leadership ability, saying he is a superb manager who is very well organized and politically connected with both Democrats and Republicans.
“He brings a lot of different backgrounds to the table,” Oblinger
said. “I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Posted Oct. 6, 2005
All Rights Reserved
