July 14, 2022
University completes first phase in equitable compensation review, renews commitment to continuing appointments
During Chancellor Austin A. Lane’s Listening and Learning Tour, many SIU Carbondale employees expressed concerns about compensation inequities. As a result, the chancellor charged a working group to conduct a robust study of non-represented civil service classifications and certain administrative professional positions.
The first phase of the analysis looked at an internal-to-internal equity comparison of employees in the same Civil Service classifications or Administrative Professional titles where there was more than one employee. The analysis took into consideration the time in class (or title) for each employee.
“Our most important resource is our people,” Lane said. “Our employees have shown their dedication to our university and our students, day in and day out, despite all the challenges. With this review process, we have made fair compensation a priority.”
The result of this effort is that more than 100 employees will see a salary adjustment based on this review. Today, vice chancellors and department heads will receive information regarding individuals on their team who are affected. As soon as the department heads are informed, communication to the impacted individuals will be handled by the supervisor and communications from Human Resources will follow shortly thereafter.
Additionally, it was determined the university would renew its commitment to the conversion of the term to continuing contract process for administrative professional staff. Continuing appointments require the university to provide staff with a one-year notice about the future of their employment and allow employees the possibility of carrying over a certain number of unused vacation and sick days each year. The AP Staff Council, led by President Todd Bryson, was instrumental in maintaining the university’s focus on the continuing appointment issue during this salary review process.
The Civil Service Staff Council, led by President Anthony Travelstead, championed the case for an examination of employee compensation inequities. Bryson and Travelstead received an update on the equity study process during the spring semester.
“I would like to thank those who worked on this study, especially Tracy Bennett, a 2021 SIU Carbondale retiree whose significant expertise and background in human resources and labor relations was critical to providing the data that informed the decision making," Lane said. "Tracy's detailed attention to data along with the working group’s analysis was essential."
The university is partnering with Dr. Yueh-Ting Lee, President of the Faculty Senate, and a committee of faculty to commence a faculty salary review in the fall. Further, future studies will include an examination of SIU Carbondale employee salaries as compared to peer institutions, relevant market data (especially for classifications where there is only one employee on the list) and other categories such as Civil Service Custom Classifications. Updates on these efforts will be provided to the constituency group leaders.