UNC Forward Update and 1% Compensation

Dear Campus Community,

As UNC Forward continues, I want to share a brief update on our progress and the work underway to strengthen UNC’s future.

We continue to navigate a challenging financial environment, and we must make thoughtful decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term sustainability.

With that in mind, I have made the difficult decision to move forward with a 1% compensation increase for faculty and professional administrative staff in January 2027. While this adjustment is more modest than increases provided in recent years, it was important to me to provide some level of increase while also maintaining the fiscal discipline necessary to support UNC’s future. For state classified employees, UNC will continue to follow the guidelines outlined by the State.

Addressing our financial challenges requires us to strengthen how we operate while pursuing opportunities for growth. In this vein, Extended Cabinet is developing recommendations in the following areas: Organizational Restructuring; Enrollment Growth and Student Demand; Space Utilization and Campus Access; Workforce Culture and Service Delivery; Revenue Generation and External Partnerships; and Operational Efficiency. Over the coming weeks, I will work with the President’s Cabinet to evaluate these recommendations and determine the next steps consistent with our strategic priorities.

At the same time, task forces and university leaders are exploring transformative opportunities to expand experiential learning, develop HyFlex programs that offer students flexibility in how they participate, strengthen online education, and build partnerships that connect academic programs, research, and workforce needs. These efforts will help us identify where targeted investments can attract and retain students, create new pathways to a UNC education, and support long-term financial sustainability. 

Thank you for your continued engagement, feedback, and commitment to UNC. I encourage you to visit the UNC Forward website to learn more about the initiative and share your ideas as we continue this important work together. 

Together, we are building a stronger future for UNC while remaining grounded in the mission and values that define our university. 


Sincerely, 

Interim President Haddad