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?
AU Human Resources
Annex 1, 1499 Walton Way
(706) 721-9365
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.
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.
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.
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.
This significant investment was primarily aimed at bolstering areas where the university expects to see the most growth in core classes that first- and second-year students need to progress toward their degree, but the funding will also support all areas of enrollment growth through increasing student support in areas.
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The first 50 staff members to attend at each location will receive a complimentary lunch.
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