University introduces limited Faculty Realignment Incentive Program to support strategic academic priorities

UNC Charlotte’s Faculty Realignment Incentive Program will incentivize approximately 15 eligible, tenured faculty members to retire early in return for a one-time payout from the University.

The program is not intended to broadly solicit requests for early retirements or reduce the University’s faculty workforce. Rather, FRIP serves as an Office of Academic Affairs initiative designed to strategically align faculty positions with the long-term academic, enrollment and research priorities of the University.

The UNC System Board of Governors established the minimum requirements for faculty to be considered for FRIP:

• Faculty must be currently employed as a permanent, full-time, benefits-eligible tenured employee of UNC Charlotte, at least 55 years old and have at least 10 years of continuous service to UNC institutions.

Deans have consulted with department chairs and school directors to identify tenured faculty candidates for potential FRIP offers that support the University’s long-term goals for strategic realignment and resource allocation.

Based on these determinations, the Office of Academic Affairs will offer FRIP participation to approximately 15 tenured faculty members from across the University who meet the program requirements and are recommended by the deans; institutional priorities will be considered. Those invitations will be extended to select faculty members by their deans before Thanksgiving.

Faculty members who receive a FRIP offer are under no obligation to accept it. Selected faculty members who choose to participate in the program will receive written agreements. It is anticipated that agreements will be finalized by February 2026. Faculty approved for FRIP will need to apply for retirement by March 31, 2026, with June 30, 2026, serving as the effective date of retirement.

Faculty members who are invited and opt into FRIP will receive a one-time payout equal to one year of their 2025-2026 academic year base salary from the University in exchange for leaving their tenured position and retiring from UNC Charlotte.