Pres. Mortensen Updates Employees on Compensation & Benefits Adjustments for 2026-2027

Editor’s note: This message from USU President Brad L. Mortensen was sent to all USU employees Tuesday morning.

Dear colleagues,

I am writing to share updates regarding compensation and benefits for the 2026–2027 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.

Salaries & Wages

A 2.5% labor market increase will be provided for all benefit-eligible employees who began employment before January 1, 2026, and who are meeting performance expectations. While we initially discussed the option of having discretion to distribute a portion of the increase as an equal percentage or dollar amount across-the-board and a portion as a flex increase, the final budget passed by the legislature and the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) clarified how these salary dollars must be allocated.

Employees who are not currently performing at a satisfactory level, as indicated by a negative annual review for faculty or an active performance improvement plan for staff, will not receive the adjustment unless an exception is approved by the appropriate dean or vice president.

Faculty promotions will continue to include a 15% salary adjustment, with central funding provided for portions supported by E&G, Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension, and Statewide funds. Other funding sources will be responsible for their proportional share.

We will also be moving forward with a minimum hourly wage of $11 for all hourly employees, beginning July 1.

Benefits

The Legislature also funded most of the medical and dental insurance price increases for the upcoming year in a year when costs increased more than usual. Due to these increased costs, employee-paid premiums will increase slightly, with most employees seeing increases of approximately $5 or less per paycheck. Family plans will see somewhat larger increases of approximately $14.50 per paycheck for tier 3. Please see the April 1 email edition of The Memo for more information about benefits increases. These changes will be fully explained during the annual open enrollment process.

Several additional benefit changes and enhancements will take effect July 1 as part of ongoing efforts to streamline the support provided to employees across USU campuses. Health benefits for employees at USU Eastern and Blanding will be consolidated with the Logan plan and will move from PEHP to Regence. This will expand available services, including telehealth and network coverage outside Utah and the United States. The university will also introduce a restructured dual medical program using a Health Reimbursement Arrangement model to simplify enrollment and reduce confusion around dual coverage for spouses and partners who are both employed by USU.

Over the next two years, the university will phase out the Blue medical plan as analysis shows it does not offer meaningful additional benefits to justify its higher premium cost. Human Resources will communicate directly with employees currently enrolled in that plan during the transition and offer assistance as needed. The university will stop accepting new enrollees in the Blue plan this year after May 1. In addition, the university will consolidate the tiered insurance premium structure, moving from four tiers to three.

During open enrollment, employees may review their current benefits and make changes to medical, dental, vision, and other benefit elections for the upcoming plan year.

Thank you again for the work you do every day on behalf of our students and communities across the state. If you have questions, Human Resources will be available to provide additional information during the open enrollment process.

Best,

brad