Faculty Salaries and TTU's Future

The AAUP held a special meeting Thursday, February 25, at 7 pm in the UC Alumni Lounge to discuss the problem of faculty salary equity. All interested faculty were invited. The purpose of the meeting was to generate a proposal for action that may be submitted for discussion and approval at the regular meeting of the AAUP set for March 4.

Specifically, three actions were offered for discussion and possible incorporation within the proposal that is forwarded to the chapter at the March 4 meeting. These were:

• Developing an AAUP draft position statement on the implementation of the salary equity plan, along with a strategy to disseminate this position to policy makers.
• Conducting a close study of the current TTU budget and budget priorities for the near future to determine both the feasibility of funding the equity plan and the university's level of commitment to the plan.
• Identifying a lawyer with expertise in the area of university faculty compensation-ideally one with an established relationship with the AAUP in Tennessee-and inviting him or her to meet with the TTU faculty to discuss the legal issues and options relevant to the persistent lack of funding of the equity plan.

Summary of February 25, 1999, Special Meeting on Faculty Salary Equity

The AAUP sponsored a special evening meeting, "Faculty Salaries and TTU's Future," on February 25, with approximately 50 people attending. Discussion focused on strategies for reversing the chronic neglect of TTU's faculty salary equity plan and the consequences of continued neglect. The meeting's main goal was send forward proposals for approval by the AAUP at its regular meeting March 4.

Two motions were passed unanimously. The first approved 3 immediate steps: (1) drafting an AAUP position statement; (2) studying the TTU budget to determine current priorities and suggest ways to begin funding the equity plan; and (3) bringing a lawyer to campus to discuss with faculty legal options for pursuing salary equity. The second motion called for individuals to step forward to form committees to work on each of the three steps included in the first approved motion.

Discussion of these two motions stressed that the faculty salary problem has become urgent, and that it has larger long-term consequences for the future of the university. Several participants urged fellow TTU faculty members to involve themselves more directly in policy decisions, both on and off campus, that affect the university's overall state funding and the internal budget priorities that shape the university's future.

Last updated on March 1, 1999

Go to TTU at AAUP Home Page