Delaware State University officials say they want to give pay raises to their custodial and grounds keeping teams this year.
It’s part of their $5.3 million dollar budget increase request to the state’s Joint Finance Committee.
DSU President Dr. Harry Williams says the move effects about 75 employees in all.
“We’re asking these people to do a lot of work on campus and they work really hard. So this request that we’re asking for will be about a four percent increase in their pay and it’ll be part of their base [pay]," said Williams. "Actually what it’s doing is bringing them up to the average [pay rate].”
As part of the total budget request, Williams also asked for $2 million to match federal funding for competitive research grants. He says the extra money from the state to help programs funded by federal dollars could open up future grant opportunities similar to the institution’s planned Optical Science Center.
“When they see that the state is supporting that, that’s a positive sign. So what we would use those dollars for primarily [is] to support the research that is connected with those specific research-based programs,” said Williams.
Williams also touted a growth in native Delawarean students. But with that, he says, comes a concern over pedestrian safety.
Kent County legislators joined him in recommending DelDOT conduct a pedestrian study along the stretch of Highway 13 adjacent to the campus.
JFC members will weigh the university’s proposals as they craft a preliminary state budget. Del State will present its capital budget proposals later in February.