Jacksonville, AL – United Campus Workers–Jax State (UCW-Jax State) and Friends of the Union–Jax State (FOTU) are asking Jacksonville State University leaders to consider a tiered cost-of-living adjustment that would provide larger percentage increases to lower-paid employees and extend the adjustment to additional categories of university workers.
The organizations submitted the proposal following Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth Jr.’s recommendation of a 2% cost-of-living adjustment. According to UCW and FOTU, members approved the proposal before it was sent to university leaders by certified mail Sept. 16, followed by an email Sept. 17.
The groups are recommending two changes to the proposed adjustment: replacing a uniform 2% increase with salary-based tiers that would provide higher percentage increases to lower-paid employees and extending the adjustment to workers including student employees, adjunct and visiting faculty, part-time employees and others who may not otherwise be covered by a traditional faculty-and-staff COLA.
UCW and FOTU said they support the university’s efforts to increase employee compensation but believe a tiered structure would direct a greater portion of the available funding toward employees earning lower salaries.
The organizations have proposed using Jax State’s actual payroll data to determine the salary tiers, with the goal of keeping the total cost comparable to the proposed 2% across-the-board adjustment. Specific tiers or percentages were not included in the information provided.
Jax State has previously used salary-based approaches in some compensation initiatives. University Faculty Senate records from 2024 show that a mid-year retention supplement used different payment amounts based on employee salary ranges. Jax State’s 2024 compensation plan also included a 2% COLA while directing additional base-pay adjustments toward employees whose salaries were lowest relative to newly established salary ranges.
“We’re asking for a tiered COLA because gas is $4.09, because the cost of living keeps going up, and because it’s the right thing to do,” said Dr. Jenna Ridlen, UCW-Jax State co-chair. “Many people at Jax State have worked hard to make compensation fairer. We want to build on that work by making sure the people who need the most help get the most help—and that every Jax State worker is included.”
Jax State began its broader compensation initiative in 2022 as part of a multi-year effort addressing employee pay and benefits. According to the university, the compensation study was designed to develop competitive and sustainable compensation structures, address internal equity and establish a multi-year financial plan for implementing approved recommendations.
University materials describe the compensation initiative as a phased process. The university reported implementing cost-of-labor, market-based and leveled pay adjustments in fall 2024, with additional salary adjustments and implementation of recommendations identified for spring 2025 and beyond.
UCW and FOTU also are seeking the inclusion of student workers in any COLA adopted by the university. According to the organizations, the last institution-wide adjustment to student worker wages occurred in 2022, when the minimum student wage increased from $7.25 to $8.25 per hour.
The groups said including student employees would recognize their role in university operations while providing additional financial support to students who work on campus.
“Student workers work because we need the income. We take pride in helping make Jax State the Friendliest Campus in the South,” said Zoe Chuang, an officer with Friends of the Union. “We contribute to this university every day, and we hope student workers will be considered for a COLA just like every other Jax State worker.”
The proposal also comes as Jax State is transitioning its structure for faculty and staff representation. According to UCW and FOTU, following the dissolution of the Faculty Senate and Staff Council, faculty and staff concerns have been directed through Dr. David Dempsey and Chief Michael Barton while a new structure for employee input is developed.
The organizations said they expect additional information about that structure around the university’s October Board of Trustees meeting.
The proposal was sent to Killingsworth; Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Christie Shelton; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dr. Arlitha Harmon; Dempsey; Barton; and Student Government Association President Bethany Stoots.
UCW-Jax State is part of United Campus Workers and advocates on issues including compensation and working conditions for university employees. Friends of the Union–Jax State is a student organization made up of students and student workers that partners with UCW-Jax State on workplace-related issues affecting the campus community.
