FACULTY AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY COULD SEE MERIT PAY IN THEIR FUTURE. THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE LOOKING TO THE FACULTY FOR SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE MERIT IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, BUT THE PLAN COULD INCLUDE SUCH COMPONENTS AS RESEARCH, PUBLISHING, TEACHING AWARDS AND OTHER FACTORS IN EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCES. OTHER SALARY PERKS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE, INCLUDING A 3 PERCENT RAISE THE STATE IMPLMENTED IN JULY, ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ADDRESS THE NEXT STEP IN THE UNIVERSITY’S SALARY EQUITY EFFORTS AND A 5-HUNDRED DOLLAR BONUS IS DUE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE IN NOVEMBER. IT’S UNKNOWN IF OR WHEN THE MERIT PAY PLAN COULD BE IMPLEMENTED.