Dear colleagues,

As the 2026–2027 academic year is underway, we want to provide an update about the staff performance review cycle. While the annual cycle typically launches in May, we have intentionally paused the launch this year as we considered feedback about the current process and how we can better support meaningful performance conversations across the university.

As a result, we are making an important change in direct response to your feedback: beginning in 2027, staff performance reviews will transition from an academic/fiscal year cycle to a calendar year cycle (January–December). This transition will allow us to create a more meaningful cadence for feedback, avoid completing reviews during some of our busiest times in the academic and fiscal year, and align to the current faculty timing.

We recognize that this is a change from the familiar timeline and we appreciate your partnership through the transition. The information below outlines what to expect for the remainder of 2026 and how we will move into the new calendar-year cycle.

The current April–May review timeline coincides with some of the busiest points of the year at GVSU, including the end of the Winter semester, commencement, and fiscal year-end activities. The new calendar-year cycle will allow for reviews to happen in late fall, allowing for more time and space to have thoughtful conversations around annual contributions.

This timeline also aligns staff performance reviews with the existing faculty performance cycle timing, creating greater consistency in how we approach performance timing across the university.

To help us make this transition, we will use a streamlined 6-month performance cycle covering July 1 through December 31, 2026:

Because this is a 6-month transition period, we are simplifying the rating process for this cycle. Staff will receive either Meets Expectations or Does Not Meet Expectations.

This transition review will also establish the performance baseline for the 2027 merit process. The timing of merit will not change: annual merit increases will continue to be communicated in July 2027 and applied to payroll in August 2027, in alignment with Board of Trustees approval. Within the Meets Expectations rating, merit ranges will continue to give people leaders flexibility to recognize and differentiate exceptional performance.

We know that changing a familiar process takes some adjustment. Resources will be made available to help you navigate the transition, including:

Meaningful feedback, clear expectations, and recognition are essential to fostering a workplace where people feel supported and equipped to do their best work. We are hopeful this new cycle will better serve our community during high-impact times in the academic year, allow for better alignment, and provide the opportunity to evaluate annual contributions.

Thank you,

Robert Shorty, Ph.D.
Vice President for People, Equity, and Culture,
Chief People and Inclusion & Equity Officer