August 11, 2004
General pay raises of 3 percent considered at SIUC
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Despite a tough fiscal year in the state, Southern Illinois University Carbondale will propose giving an average pay increase of 3 percent to non-represented faculty and staff effective July 1, 2004, including those at the School of Medicine. The SIU Board of Trustees will consider the matter at its meeting Sept. 9 in Alton.
The university will also initiate salary increase discussions for represented faculty and staff through appropriate channels.
"We are able to propose the increase because, despite the flat state budget, we have reduced our administrative costs significantly," SIUC Chancellor Walter V. Wendler said. "We have also significantly increased tuition to improve the educational quality for students and this starts with compensating our faculty and staff to the best of our ability."
"We value our faculty and staff and this is one way to demonstrate that," Wendler said.
He added that over the course of the past two years, SIUC has also left positions open after people have retired or left the University. SIUC employed 128 fewer employees at the beginning of fall semester 2003 than it did in 2002, the most recent years for which figures are available.
More specific information about timing and implementation will be available when the matter is considered by the Board in September.
SIU President James E. Walker and Board Chairman Glenn Poshard have indicated they are willing to consider the increases. SIU Edwardsville is also planning a general 3 percent salary increase for its faculty and staff. Other public universities in the state have also indicated they plan to explore salary increases of 2 to 3.5 percent this fiscal year.