Board approves compensation increases

October 19, 2009

Last February, the Board approved most of the budget for 2009-2010, but deferred a decision on compensation increases until the academic year had begun and precise enrollment and revenue data was in hand.

Faculty, exempt-staff, and OEE salary increases, held in a “frost” state pending a precise assessment of this fall’s enrollment and net revenue figures, have been approved by the trustees.

After a vigorous debate about the perils still ahead in the economy and future pressures on Lewis & Clark’s financial position, the Board acted at its Friday, October 16, meeting to adopt the Executive Council’s recommendation to approve the raises beginning Nov. 1 for most affected employees, and potentially Jan. 1 for Law School faculty and exempt staff. This unusual action recognizes the significant efforts by faculty and staff in improving the quality and reputation of Lewis & Clark in a most challenging environment. 

The Board action allocates money for a 3 percent merit pool beginning November 1, 2009 for the following groups: CAS and Graduate School faculty, CAS and Graduate School exempt staff, and Common Services exempt staff.

A 2 percent merit pool was allocated for faculty, exempt staff and common services employees working in the Law School. 

Non-exempt staff who are not members of either union and who work in CAS, Graduate School or Common Services will receive a 4.5 percent merit pool.

Non-exempt staff who are not members of either union and who work in the law School will receive a 2.0 percent merit pool. (Raises for the all OEE employees will be retroactive to Sept. 1.)

The institution has already enacted pay increases for non-exempt staff represented by the Lewis & Clark College Staff Support Association (5 percent) and Teamsters (4 percent). At the request of the Law School a decision about the Law School faculty and exempt employee’s salary increases will be delayed until the spring semester net tuition revenue is determined.

“My Executive Council colleagues and I are delighted that our financial circumstances this academic year are sufficiently positive for the Board to approve modest raises for our dedicated faculty and staff,” Treasurer and Vice President Carl Vance said. “Most colleges and universities have not been as fortunate. Given the depth and persistence of the national recession, and the changes that are coming with our endowment spending rate, we can’t be sure what next year and subsequent years will bring. CAS in particular still faces considerable future financial pressures. The Board expects the College administration to develop plans to insure balanced budgets for 2010-11 and beyond.”