William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe sent the following message to the faculty and staff on May 16, 2024. – Ed.

Dear colleagues,

With the academic year drawing to a close, I write to report out good news from Richmond. On Monday, the General Assembly approved and Governor Youngkin signed the Commonwealth’s 2024-2026 biennium budget. The state budget reflects steady support for higher education in Virginia. Highlights relative to W&M include:

• 3% pool for salary increases in FY25 and FY26: The state establishes guidelines for distributing increases. CHRO Tawanda Johnson will provide guidance to Cabinet for managing the process for their areas once additional guidance is received from DHRM.
• Funding for the Wren building renovation and Highland facilities: We expect a significant increase in visitors to Virginia during the nation’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. These long-anticipated renovations and site improvements will showcase Virginia’s compelling stories of revolution and the founding of our democracy.
• Funding for VIMS’ Marine Operations Administration Complex planning effort, including funding for modifications to the marina: VIMS will receive funding to plan a new facility for administration, training and instruction, dive program functions, maintenance and repair, and field and equipment storage. The project will include work on the marina channel and slip areas to accommodate the current research fleet and provide berthing for the flagship research vessel, the R/V Virginia.

The budget also includes additional operating and financial aid funding for higher education in FY25. The state budget aligns well with the university’s internal budget, which the Board of Visitors approved last month.

Please join me in extending hearty thanks to our colleagues in Government & External Affairs and the Budget Office for their diligence in supporting W&M’s people, programs, and campuses.

Best regards,

Katherine