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University faculty can expect pay increase in 2005

SIUC faculty will see a 3-percent pay increase in the coming fiscal year, even though no state funding has been set aside for it.

Tenure and tenure-track faculty will receive the increase as part of a package negotiated in 2003, which provides for increases over three years totaling 7.5 percent, in addition to any state appropriations.

The 3-percent raise will go into effect July 1, 2005.

Faculty Association President Morteza Daneshdoost said there were no state appropriations for faculty pay increases last year.

"My understanding is that the higher education budget was flat," Daneshdoost said.

The terms of the agreement between the SIU Board of Trustees and the Faculty Association provided for a 2-percent increase for fiscal year 2003-2004, 2.5 percent in fiscal year 2004-2005 and 3 percent in fiscal year 2005-2006.

Law school and medical school faculty are not part of the bargaining unit and are not covered by the agreement.

Daneshdoost said equitable faculty salaries were a key part of the contract negotiations with the BOT.

"One important thing for faculty to realize is [the increases] would not have happened without negotiations," Daneshdoost said.

The BOT ratified the contract in February 2003, narrowly averting a possible strike.

Chancellor Walter Wendler said faculty pay increases were among the budget decisions that could not be changed when Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced in June a 2-percent cut in all state university appropriations.

"The contract guarantees a raise for next year even without state appropriations," Wendler said. "Since there was nothing set aside by the state, it will come from other revenue sources."

Daneshdoost said guaranteed pay raises are important factors for prospective faculty to consider when weighing a decision to accept a position at SIUC.

"The 3-percent increase for next year makes it easier for us to attract new faculty," Daneshdoost said.