Boise State University makes every effort to ensure that its compensation structure supports employees, recognizes meritorious service, and remains competitive in an increasingly global job market. Annual increases are an important part of retaining a skilled and dedicated workforce. In Idaho, annual compensation increases for public employees are governed by a variety of state laws and policies and must be authorized annually by the Idaho State Legislature. The State of Idaho refers to some employee pay raises or other wage considerations as Change in Employee Compensation (CEC). There is a CEC legislative committee and the overall evaluation of employee wages is referred to as the CEC process. Boise State is not provided state CEC dollars to cover all campus positions, so there must be sufficient university base funding to cover recommended employee increases.
Current Status for the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) CEC process:
The FY26 CEC Process has not yet been approved. For more information on this year’s CEC, visit the Walk Thru the CEC website (not available until the CEC is approved).
The CEC Process
Each year, the CEC process involves 10 distinct steps, as noted below. Please be aware that the steps do not always follow an exact order due to committee assignments or shifting legislative priorities. Currently, we are in Step One.
STEP ONE:
Each December, the Idaho Division of Human Resources (DHR) publishes an annual compensation report of public employment compensation in Idaho with an analysis of compensation trends, market competitiveness, past increases, and the total state benefits package.
STEP TWO:
Each December, DHR presents its annual compensation report and its CEC recommendations to the Idaho State Legislature’s Joint Change in Employee Compensation Committee (JCECC). These recommendations may be accepted, rejected, or amended by the Governor or Legislature.
STEP THREE:
Each January, the Idaho Governor, after reviewing DHR’s recommendations, advances a Governor’s Office recommendation in the annual budget proposal. The governor can choose to accept, reject, or amend DHR’s recommendation.
STEP FOUR:
During the legislative session (typically in early spring), the JCECC will forward its CEC recommendations to the Idaho State’s Legislature’s Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC). JCECC’s recommendations may or may not match those put forward by DHR and/or the Governor’s Office.
STEP FIVE:
In early to mid spring, the Presidents of all state universities and colleges present how they used legislative funds the past fiscal year as well as current needs. JFAC asks questions to clarify needs before submitting the budget to the House and Senate. University presidents also present to the House and Senate Education committees.
- Boise State’s JFAC Hearing Date: Date to be announced
- Boise State’s House Education Hearing Date: Date to be announced
- Boise State’s Senate Education Hearing Date: Date to be announced
STEP SIX:
JFAC ultimately votes on a CEC package for the coming year and forwards that to both the House and Senate for approval as part of the overall budget. This bill will move to the Governor’s signature for final approval. This happens typically in mid-spring.
STEP SEVEN:
Once the CEC is approved (typically in mid to late spring) and authorized by the Legislature, DHR develops specific CEC implementation guidance for state agencies.
STEP EIGHT:
Boise State reviews DHR guidance and develops a plan as to how the CEC will apply to its workforce.
STEP NINE:
Boise State’s plan is presented to DHR and the Department of Financial Management (DFM) for approval. There may be further required amendments to Boise State’s plan based on DHR and/or DFM feedback.
STEP TEN:
DHR and DFM approve Boise State’s CEC plan and implementation begins.
Walk Thru the CEC Website
The CEC Process website provides a matrix for each employee classification. This website is updated after final legislative decisions are made and administration has time to update matrices. Campus will receive notice when that website is available to view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CEC administered as an across-the-board pay increase?
No. State law requires that CEC be tied to meritorious service and the results of performance evaluations, as well as where an employee’s salary currently sits within its overall salary range (compa-ratio).
What are the mandated requirements before a classified or professional employee can receive a CEC increase?
Classified and professional employees must have a current positive performance evaluation (1 to 3 rating) and have completed Cybersecurity Awareness training and Respectful Workplace training (administered on March 1 and due March 31 by 5 p.m.).
How does Boise State determine whether a performance evaluation is current?
- For classified and professional staff, the evaluation must have been completed between October 1 to March 1. If March 1 falls on a Saturday, the yearly performance evaluation is due the Friday prior.
- For faculty, evaluations are due April 15Â (Feb. 1 for faculty to complete activity reporting in Faculty 180 and submit self-evaluations; Apr. 1 for supervisors to complete evaluations; and Apr. 15 for faculty to acknowledge evaluations and submit to their dean).
How does my performance evaluation score impact my CEC?
Employees receiving a ‘0’ rating (or below expectations) on their yearly performance evaluation are ineligible for CEC, but increases for classified and professional employees receiving other scores are generally set on a sliding scale with ‘1’ receiving the lowest increase and those with a ‘3’ receiving the highest. Faculty scores are also set on a sliding scale as determined by their unit. The exact details will not be determined until Boise State’s plan is developed and approved by Idaho’s Division of Human Resources and Division of Financial Management.
What components are in Boise State’s CEC plan?
Boise State’s plan usually takes into account:
- how it will financially manage the merit pool, including how increases for positions not funded on general funds will be handled;
- how to consider performance evaluation scores;
- how to consider a classified or professional employee’s compa ratio (where an employee is within their pay range) or the CUPA-HR average for faculty;
- how to treat temporary employees;
- whether to move the professional salary bands similar to classified salary bands; and
- whether Boise State will use any part of the CEC pool for other types of compensation actions, such as those mandated in policy.
Once all these factors are considered, a matrix is submitted for both staff and faculty.
How does CEC impact positions whose salary increases are not covered by the state?
Roughly 35% to 40% of Boise State’s employees are funded by general funds, meaning that the state covers the annual CEC merit pool for those positions. The remainder of the Boise State workforce are funded by other means (e.g. tuition, grants, auxiliary revenue, local funds, F&A, etc.). Boise State is not provided state dollars to cover the CEC for positions not funded by general funds. Therefore, to fully fund the CEC for all university employees, Boise State must have sufficient base funding to cover the increases for non-appropriated positions.
If sufficient additional funding is not available, the university has to reallocate the pool so that all eligible employees receive an increase.
What is the CEC snapshot date? Why is it relevant?
Boise State takes a snapshot of its total state-appropriated workforce to determine what the total expenditures are for state-appropriated salaries. This date is used to calculate pay raises. For FY26, the CEC snapshot date is to be announced. It is important to ensure all pending salary actions (e.g. promotion, reclassification, equity increase, etc.) are completed prior to March 4, 2024, so that the salary snapshot accurately reflects the total payroll.