A Message to Faculty and Staff: Update on NC’s 2026-27 State Budget
Dear Colleagues,
On July 7, Governor Josh Stein signed North Carolina’s 2026-27 state budget into law, making significant investments in the University of North Carolina System and in UNC Charlotte specifically.
The budget reflects the state’s continued confidence in our mission and momentum.
Highlights for the University include:
Employee Compensation
- A 3% salary increase for most UNC System employees.
- A 13% salary increase for sworn law enforcement officers.
- A one-time bonus of $1,750 for employees earning $65,000 or less.
- A one-time bonus of $1,000 for employees earning more than $65,000.
As with all UNC System institutions, implementation of salary actions is subject to guidance from the UNC System Office. The legislation anticipates the one-time bonuses to be paid around Oct. 15, 2026. Human Resources will share additional information as it becomes available.
Supporting Student and Enrollment Growth
The budget includes approximately $24 million in recurring funds and $8.5 million in non-recurring funds for enrollment growth and data science/battery research. This investment helps ensure we can continue providing an exceptional educational experience while meeting the needs of a growing student population.
Improving Campus Facilities
The budget also provides continued support for major capital renovation projects on campus, including:
- $12.6 million for Smith Hall
- $4.5 million for Colvard Hall
Supporting Charlotte Athletics
Changes to the state’s sports wagering distribution will increase funding for Charlotte Athletics to a total of $3 million beginning this fiscal year (FY27), with additional funding totaling $5.8 million beginning in FY2028.
We are grateful to members of the North Carolina General Assembly, the UNC Board of Governors and Gov. Stein for their continued support of UNC Charlotte and higher education across our state.
These investments position UNC Charlotte to continue advancing our strategic priorities while expanding opportunities for our students.
Thank you for all you do to support our University.
Sincerely,
Sharon Gaber
Chancellor