Salary adjustments address compression issue in faculty ranks

The university has completed its adjustment of faculty salaries to address the issue of within-rank compression that occurred from prior-year salary increases.

Faculty who were the focus of these adjustments should receive a new contract and salary notice by Friday.

The paycheck for Jan. 19 will include adjustments for 186 faculty and six academic professionals. A total of $757,337 was distributed, including $642,083 for salaries ($282,084 for market adjustments and $359,999 for compression) and $115,254 for increases in employee-related expenses.

When faculty raises were tied to market data from the College and University Professional Association in July 2005, the university was aware that the raises fixed a problem of between-ranks compression and also created compression for faculty within ranks, especially at the associate and full-professor level. The university committed to addressing the within-ranks compression, so this mid-cycle adjustment addresses changes in market since July 2005 and recognizes years in rank as an important variable in one's total compensation.

The methodology for determining adjustments can be reviewed on the Human Resources web site. Additionally, faculty can review the CUPA market data online and follow directions to calculate what their salary had to be below to receive an adjustment for compression. Deans and chairs also have a list of the faculty in their areas who are eligible for these adjustments.

Since 2003-04, faculty and staff salaries have been and continue to be one of the critical university priorities. Each year since then, NAU has made progress with regard to employee salaries becoming more competitive. Again, compensation continues to be a university priority. Both the governor and Joint Legislative Budget Committee have proposed small employee salary increases in their preliminary budgets.

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