Faculty Senate
MINUTES
March 9, 2000

MEMBERS - Listed Alphabetically
Scott Amos - Robert Milner representing
Eric Amsel - Excused
Richard Beatch
Mark Biddle
Sharen Brady
Delroy Brinkerhoff
Michael Cena
Mike Chertudi - Student - Excused
Bruce Christensen
Bill Clap
Erika Daines
Betty Damask-Bembenek
Tom Day - Excused
Karen Dewey
Rick Dove - Excused
Anand Dyal-Chand - Admin - Excused
Dave Eisler - Admin.
Ron Galli - Admin.
Jim Gaskill - Excused
Dawn Gatherum
David Greene - Admin. - Excused
Frank Guliuzza - Parliamentarian
Bruce Handley
Mark Henderson
Warren Hill
Joan Hubbard
Ken Johnson
Paul Joines
Brenda Kowalewski - Ron Holt representing
Thom Kuehls
Jeff Livingston
Kathleen Lukken - Admin.
Jim Macdonald
Dwayne Meadows
Judith Mitchell - Vice Chair
Randy Parker
June Phillips - Admin.
Margaret Pilcher - Student - Excused
Valory Quick - Cindy Belnap
Richard Sadler - Admin.
Dan Schroeder
Randy Scott
Candadai Seshachari - Chair
Gene Sessions
Sally Shigley
John Sillito
John Sohl
Mohammad Sondossi
Timothy Steele
Adam Suttlemyer - Student - Excused
Alden Talbot
President Paul Thompson - Admin
Jennifer Turley - Monica Mize representing
Michael Vaughan - Admin
Wangari Wa Nyatetu-Waigwa
Lydia Wingate - Excused
Kay Brown, Secretary

1. ROLL CALL

2. SALARY, BENEFITS, BUDGET, AND FISCAL PLANNING B Thom Kearin, Chair

Thom Kearin presented the following Salary Committee recommendations:

INFORMATION:
The average 1999-2000 WSU salary is $46,140.
The average adjusted CUPA salary for WSU faculty (1998-99 data) is $53,612.
Therefore, WSU is currently at 86% of CUPA.
In 1995-96, WSU was at 94% of CUPA
This leaves a ACUPA Gap@ of 8%
Since 1995-96, CUPA has been growing at 4.3% per year.

GOAL:
The Salary, Benefits, Budget and Fiscal Planning Committee proposes that by 2005-06, WSU salaries be at least 94% of CUPA (given two-year-old data).

In order to achieve this, WSU salaries must rise, on average, 5.9% per year.

1.6% 1/5 of the CUPA Gap
+ 4.3% to keep up with CUPA growth
5.9% (This figure is rounded to 6% in the recommendation below.)

SALARY RECOMMENDATIONS:
With the aim of restoring average WSU salaries to at least 94% of CUPA by the academic year 2005-06, we strongly recommend providing average salary increases each year over the next five years of no less than 6%. We further recommend the following means:

1. Keep differences between retiring faculty and replacement hires in the salary pool.

2. Distribute allocations provided by the legislature to colleges as a percentage of salary.

3. Allow each college to determine how much of its allocation will be applied toward across-the-board raises, merit increases, etc.

4. During times of enrollment growth, make up annual shortfalls between the legislative appropriation and the minimum 6% increase recommended above.

5. To cover annual shortfalls:

A. Obtain 2% or one half of the shortfall, whichever is less from college funds.

B. Obtain the remainder from central funds or 2%, whichever is greater.

C. Distribute these funds to the colleges as a percentage of each college=s salary base and use them to provide equity, merit, and, if desired, across the board raises. Deans, in consultation with constituent groups, are to determine how much is allocated to each category.

6. Provide funds for promotion and minimum salary by rank from University funds, not from funds allocated to salary increases which shall be no less than 6% per year.

7. Deans are encouraged to alleviate equity problems within their colleges by freeing money within their budgets for that purpose. Further, they are encouraged to refer to the model approved last year (February 18, 1999) by the Faculty Senate.

8. Maintain current benefit levels, but not at the expense of the recommended 6% minimum salary increase.

9. These recommendations apply to the next five years (through 2005-06).

President Thompson reported that the Regents have approved a 3% tuition increase. The Executive Appropriations Committee has a policy for those agencies that generate revenue which requires them to provide 25% of the salary increase from their revenue. The 3% approved by the Regents= does not match up with the 4% compensation package. Therefore, the tuition increase will need to be revisited at the meetings on March 16 and 17. At the present, there is approximately 4.3% to 4.7% available for salary increases. This percentage includes several elements: salary equity, benefits, compensation, and growth money.

The legislature decided to cut every state agency=s travel budget by 10%. This amounts to a decrease in travel funds for Weber State in the range of $44,000.

The Faculty Senate discussed the recommendations, CUPA comparisons, and equity problems within colleges. President Thompson indicated that money available for salaries this year would be close to 6%, but it is unrealistic to think the administration will be able to come up with 6% next year or the following three years. Medical benefits are increasing from 12 to 15% a year.

The Faculty Senate was reminded that these are recommendations with a goal. The goal may not be achievable every year, but a goal has been set. This recommendation does not divide faculty and colleges. There is a gradual increasing gap between WSU faculty salaries and average CUPA salaries. The recommendation and goal were set to bring faculty salaries back to 94% of CUPA.

Main Motion:
Moved to approve the salary recommendations from the Salary, Benefits, Budgets, and Fiscal Planning Committee.

Made: Judith Mitchell
Second: Karen Dewey

Amended Motion:
Moved to maintain current benefit levels even if we can=t reach the 6% salary recommendation.

Made: Dan Schroeder
Second: Richard Beatch
Outcome: The amendment passed with 20 in favor, 11 opposed, and 3 abstentions.

Call for the Question

Made: Sally Shigley
Outcome: The motion passed.

Main Motion:
Moved to approve the salary recommendations from the Salary, Benefits, Budgets, and Fiscal Planning Committee as amended above.

Made: Judith Mitchell
Second: Karen Dewey
Outcome: The motion passed with 22 in favor 10 opposed and 2 abstentions.

The faculty salary negotiation team consists of the Chair of the Faculty Senate (Candadai Seshachari), the Chair of the Salary, Benefits, Budget, and Fiscal Planning Committee (Thom Kearin), and an elected member of the Salary, Benefits, Budget, and Fiscal Planning Committee (Richard Miller). The Faculty Senate was asked to approve Richard Miller=s nomination.

Motion:
Moved to approve Richard Miller as the third member of the faculty salary negotiation team.

Made: Judith Mitchell
Second: Paul Joines
Outcome: The motion was approved unanimously.

ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.