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Salary adjustments at UW

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Despite the looming budget problems facing the University of Wisconsin System, the Board of Regents approved salary adjustments for 35 administrators and faculty members within the system, awarding a possible $98,000 to employees whose salaries fall below standard market wages.

“The market is going up tremendously. We are really quite low in comparison,” Regent Roger Axtell said, adding that the UW System generally tries to remain above the median.

As Axtell noted, salary adjustments are necessary for the UW System to retain a competitive position in the administrative field. Within the past year, the system lost chancellors at UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point to higher-paying positions out of state, moves that system officials fear will become commonplace if salaries are not adjusted.

Such alterations fall in line with an annual procedure with a completion deadline of Oct. 1. Under the procedure, the salary allotments at universities throughout the nation are surveyed and averaged. From there, the UW System determines the minimum, median and maximum expenditures of national market wages, which are then compared to UW System salaries.

Frank Harris, chairman of the College Republicans, said the motives behind the board’s moves are not necessarily the most appropriate.

“This is like comparing apples and oranges,” Harris said of the annual procedure of wage comparisons. “I just really think that’s a lame excuse,” he said, adding that he believes the proposed amount of wage increases will not make a huge difference in the UW System’s competitive position.

Instead of placing administrative concerns first, Harris said student matters should remain in the spotlight, especially in lieu of the budget cuts that are already hurting the quality of education.

“[The Board of Regents] have to remember they’re a symbol of education. They have to lead the way,” he said. “I really think it’s a great injustice.”

In Harris’ opinion, a freeze should be implemented on administrative spending, a move that he said would demonstrate the system’s dedication and support for the quality of education.

“That would have been the most admirable thing to do,” Harris said.

Axtell said he also recognizes the importance of the system’s educational quality, something that is a constant presence in board matters.

“We are concerned about the future and what it’ll bring … I would hope that people would understand we’re in a terrible squeeze,” he said, noting that under the current budget, students are left with approximately $100 million less in educational quality.

This is not the only scrutiny the board has faced within the past week. Many have questioned whether the relative quietness and urgency behind the meetings was a way to avoid drawing attention to the vote.

In addition, the vote was held via telephone, which rarely happens. The method by which the vote was held in combination with overall disagreement regarding how the issue was being handled, led three regents to abstain from voting. These regents also noted the lack of time and information as explanations of why they did not vote.

Axtell, however, said the board followed proper guidelines and posted notices for the meeting days in advance.

Funding for the salary alterations will come from interest on state grants or from gifts, not from state or tuition money, Axtell said. He said that any increase in salary would remain relatively minor.

Axtell said that it is important to acknowledge that no salary raises have been issued, only that a new set of ranges has been adopted. In addition, several salary positions will remain level, while others will decrease.

Axtell expects official adjustments to be made at the next board meeting, which will take place Oct. 9-10 at UW-Oshkosh.