Addressing Family, Faculty, UO Needs
Barbara Altmann, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Professor of French
June 4, 2013
The University put a salary and benefits proposal on the bargaining table this morning that supports new parents, promotes academic inquiry and research, and addresses concerns about non-tenured faculty compensation.
Students, the Board of Higher Education, elected leaders, and the public have spoken clearly about the need to limit tuition increases and for us to be prudent fiscal managers. The University’s proposal will increase faculty compensation and is fiscally responsible.
To summarize, the University is proposing to boost faculty salaries by an average of 10 percent by July 1, 2014, through both across-the-board and merit increases. While some argue that is not enough, the University’s proposal moves us toward the University’s longstanding goal.
Today’s proposals also respond to concerns voiced about non-tenure track faculty pay, sabbatical pay, and parental leave policies.
We have listened to those who say the University of Oregon should be a leader in family-friendly policies. The University’s new proposal assures new parents six weeks’ paid leave after birth or adoption. Employees would be required to use any accrued vacation time under the plan, but they can also preserve up to two weeks of sick time to be used after the leave to take a sick child to the doctor or otherwise meet the needs of a new parent and changing family.
The University has also proposed a new Joint Labor-Management Committee on NTTF Compensation charged with recommending policy for salary floors, including for post-doctoral fellows. We know this is a priority for the union and it is one we share. The latest offer takes another step by dedicating an additional 1 percent to the NTTF salary pool to help pay for the committee recommendations. This would free up dollars during the current contract term, rather than force NTTF faculty to wait for the next contract.
The University is also offering an additional incentive for faculty to spend a term away from the classroom engaged in research or other academic pursuits. The latest proposal covers 100 percent of faculty members’ salaries during a one-term sabbatical. Faculty who are away for two terms would receive 75 percent of pay, and those take a full year’s sabbatical would receive 60 percent of salary.
We have all spent a good deal of time over the last several months talking about how best to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting priorities. Today’s proposals reflect those conversations as well a mutual desire to craft a first faculty contract that helps position the UO for a strong future.
