NEWS
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Recent study shows disparities in faculty salaries
GUILFORD SALARIES
LOW IN COMPARISON
TO SIMILARLY
ENDOWED SCHOOLS
BY VICTOR LOPEZ
Senior WwTB^
Julie Winterich, associate
professor of sociology and
anthropology, was researching
women's salaries in higher
education when she came across
some interesting information
regarding Guilford faculty
salaries.
Guilford faculty and staff are
some of the lowest paid in the
industry.
Winterich found that Guilford's
faculty and staff salaries ranked
rock bottom when compared to
colleges and universities that have
similar endowment sizes.
For example, Guilford assistant
professors make an average of
$52,000, while the average in
North Carolina colleges and
universities is $64,000. Guilford
associate professors average
$57,000 compared with the state
average of $76,000. Full professors
at Guilford average $71,000 a
year while the average in North
Carolina is $112,000.
Average faculty salaries have
increased from the 20th percentile
to the 36th over the last decade.
However, the Strategic Long Range
Plan I set a goal for faculty salaries
to reach the 50th percentile.
Average administrative salaries
for presidents at similar colleges
are $410,000 while Kent Chabotar
receives $474,000 a year.
Winterich's information
alongside data already reviewed
by faculty regarding their pay rate
propelled Bob Williams, professor
of economics, and Robert M.
Whitnell, professor of chemistry,
to send a memo to the board of
trustees and the budget committee
for review.
The fact that Guilford pays its
professors less than most colleges
and universities is not new.
Historically, the local American
Association of University
Professors chapter has worked
on the faculty salary disparity for
some time now.
According to Williams, the
faculty compensation report was
the work of Garland Granger, Jack
Zerbe, Rob Whitnell and himself.
"A faculty forum on the original
Faculty Compensation Report
perhaps a year ago was very
heavily attended," said Williams.
Winterich's research has just
begun.
"As part of that work, we're
looking at institutional data on
possible gender issues for a variety
of topics and not just for faculty,
for all employees," said Winterich.
"This is the first part of data we
have put together on salaries,
which is public information and
easy to assemble."
Kent Chabotar, president and
professor of political science, told
The Guilfordian that though he
has not seen the memo given to
the board of trustees and budget
committee or Winterich's data,
the faculty is his priority, budget
Average Professor Salaries
Salve Regina University-
Saint Norbert College
Albright College
Augustana College
Augsburg College
Guilford College
$62,700
$74,100
I $92,900
$56,200
$69,800
$89,100
$83,800
$54,200
$67,000
$54,300
$64,800
$82,200
$78,400
$56,800
$64,400
$57,100
$52,100
$71,000
iFull Time Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor
allowing.
"The faculty-led budget
committee and’ I have been
quite clear that if the College
budget exceeds the 'worse case'
scenario for 2013-14, employee
compensation is the number
one priority, either as one
time bonuses, 'middle case',
or continuing increases, 'better
case,"' said Chabotar.
"Whatever funds are available
will be apportioned among the
faculty, administrative staff and
support staff based on how far
each group is behind the 50th
percentile target in its respective
marketplace," said Chabotar.
"Since the faculty are furthest
behind their targets, they will get
most of the money."
According to Williams, who is a
former chairperson of the budget
committee, there is no easy answer.
"Faculty salary increases can
only come from a limited number
of revenue sources, none of which
are easily increased and all of
which have budgetary claims
on their dollars," said Williams.
"(Without) additional revenues,
increased salaries can only come
from reduced expenditures in
other areas. Knowing whether
and where such reductions might
responsibly come from requires a
detailed understanding of college
budgets."
Williams said that his
joint memo did not have a
recommendation because he trusts
the budget committee to review
the collective information and
make suggestions.
"The membership of the budget
committee includes a diverse
slice of our community including
students, staff, faculty and
administrators," said Williams.
"It also includesf^ key college
personnel who have a detailed
understanding of the college's
budgets and its varied operations."
"Rob (Whitnell) and I are
deeply worried that the lagging
salaries will diminish morale
and encourage turnover," said
Williams. "We believe that morale
operates like trust. Once it is lost, it
is very difficult to regain."
GUILFORD’S ASPIRING FILM
STUDENTS AND ENTHUSIASTS
SHOWCASE THEIR WORK
CHECK OUT THE FULL ARTICLE
AT WWW.GUILF0RDIAN.COM
Top, from left to right: “2am” by senior Douglas
Reyes-Ceron,“Bubbles” by junior Zach Kronisch
and “Die Ewigie” by seniors Tobias Olsen and Alex
Rickman.
Bottom, from left to right: “Tickle My Inkhole by junior
Alejo Salcedo and “Sepia Picture Postcard” by senior
Joshua Barker.
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