Dear Kent State University Faculty and Staff,
Welcome to the fall semester and another academic year filled with promise. We are energized by the return of our students and the daily opportunities for each of us to contribute to the Kent State experience for so many learners.
Amid the challenges we face close to home and around the world – the politics of division, the economy and natural disasters to name just three – I'm asking you to join me in modeling our Kent State values each day for our students and for each other. As I addressed our new student Convocation last Friday, I emphasized our values of freedom of expression, along with kindness and respect in all we do, as paramount for the year. A Kent State education prepares each of our students to become part of the solution for the next generation, and I want to encourage our entire university community to provide a foundation in which each of us is treated the ways in which we want to be treated.
Supporting Our Faculty and Staff
I know that many of you are wondering about our ability to address the rising cost of living in your paychecks, given the very tight higher education budget approved in Columbus this summer. As we have continued to be one of the state's most fiscally prudent public universities, we have done so while also continuing to support our employees. Our Board of Trustees will vote on our proposed annual university budget at its Sept. 20 meeting, and that includes a proposed 3% pay increase for all qualifying, non-represented staff as well as the contractual increases for unionized faculty and staff.
Swipe and Eat
We will continue to offer faculty, staff and graduate assistants a free meal swipe once a week at the Design Innovation and Eastway dining halls, and in the Kent Student Center Hub, beginning after Labor Day. Look out for a future email with details.
Talking With Todd
Please join me at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, for the fall's first edition of Talking With Todd, coming live to your desktop or mobile device via Teams Live. In addition to your questions, I'll be sharing some early thoughts on changes that 2023-2024 will bring and why we want to strengthen our commitment to our Kent State values.
Blue and Gold Fridays
Let's continue to make each Friday our day to be Blue, Gold and Grateful. Keep the tradition going by wearing your Kent State colors proudly.
Please know that I appreciate each of you and all that you do to make Kent State great for our students and for each other.
Go Flashes!
Sincerely,
Todd Diacon
President
