Inside Iowa State

May 18, 2006

Salary increases should average at least 2.5 percent

by Anne Krapfl

Salary increases for faculty and P&S staff will average at least 2.5 percent, according to the 2007 compensation policy released last week by President Gregory Geoffroy.

General Fund* units will receive funds equal to 2.5 percent of their salary bases for continuing faculty and P&S staff, to be used for salary increases. Geoffroy is encouraging unit leaders, as they are able, to reallocate funds to reach up to a 3 percent average salary increase. All such reallocations require approval at the vice president level.

A faculty or P&S staff member with a satisfactory performance evaluation this year should receive a minimum salary increase of 0.83 percent, according to the policy. Increases above this level should be based on individual merit. A faculty or P&S staff member with an unsatisfactory performance evaluation should receive a salary increase less than 0.83 percent -- and a written rationale for it.

In addition, Geoffroy announced $1 million in salary and benefits funds to be used to improve:

• Faculty salaries in Iowa State's most outstanding and highest-priority academic fields.
• Salaries for Iowa State's most outstanding faculty whose salaries aren't competitive in the marketplace for individuals of their distinction.

Merit increases

Salary increases for Merit employees are determined by the collective bargaining agreement between the state of Iowa and AFSCME (Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees).

According to the contract, Merit employees will receive a 2 percent salary increase on July 1. On an employee's anniversary date during FY07, each will receive a 4.5 percent increase, up to the maximum of his or her pay grade.

Promotion increases

Faculty members promoted to full professor this year receive an additional $3,000 to their base salary. Faculty promoted to associate professor receive an added $2,500. Geoffroy noted that these increases "must not be used as substitutes" for annual salary increases.

Other employee groups

• Graduate assistant salary increases will be handled the same as faculty and P&S staff.
• Pre- and post-doctoral salaries will be handled the same as faculty and P&S staff. The Graduate College has established minimum ($33,000) and maximum ($75,100) compensation levels for FY07.
• Salary increases for supervisory/confidential employees covered by the Merit system will be handled the same as Merit employees.
• Leaders in non-General Fund units are expected to follow the same salary policies for their employees.

*General Fund includes the General University as well as the Experiment Station, Cooperative Extension, Leopold Center, IPRT, SBDC, Research Park and the healthy livestock initiative. Non-General Fund units are auxiliary units such as residence, printing, bookstore, athletics and student health center.

New compensation costs	Amount
Faculty increases (2.5% average)	$5.3 million
Faculty competitive salaries fund	$1 million
P&S increases (2.5% average)	$2.8 million
Merit increases	$2.5 million
Total	$11.6 million

Faculty and P&S staff with satisfactory performance evaluations should receive minimum salary increases of 0.83 percent, with increases averaging at least 2.5 percent, according to the FY07 salary policy recently released by President Gregory Geoffroy.