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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- University of South Carolina president Harris Pastides says most of the school's workers are eligible for merit-based bonuses.

Pastides said Wednesday he recognizes the average 1.5 percent, one-time increases aren't enough. But he says he hopes employees see it as a statement of the university's commitment to them.

Pastides says he's asked the school's chief financial officer and provost to come up with a proposal for more significant performance-based salary increases next year.

USC human resources vice president Chris Byrd says the bonuses should appear in Oct. 31 paychecks. Only employees making less than $100,000 are eligible.

Last month, Clemson president Jim Barker said professors there could get raises of up to 6 percent this fall under the college's new merit-based compensation system. Clemson's raises will average 2.2 percent.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)