University of Wyoming Board of Trustees Meeting Update

New proposed 2014 salary raise dispersal guidelines and a tuition fee increase were the leading subjects discussed at the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees meeting yesterday.

A concern for the Board during the meeting was distribution of the salary increase. Governor Matt Mead approved a bill that will apply $12.5 million toward pay raises for University of Wyoming toward employee.

The salary distribution policy proposed to theBoard disperses $4.15 million for the 2014 year and $8.35 million for 2015.

Proposed 2014 salary raise dispersal guidelines:

Part-time and Full-time Faculty (hired on or before June 30, 2013) are eligible for the raise.
Faculty must have at least a satisfactory performance rating.
For the first year senior administrators are excluded.

The rationale for excluding senior administrators is to stretch the resources as far as possible. It is estimated that by excluding the senior administrators, the university will save $30,000 to $50,000, which will allow raises for more faculty members. A distribution method for the remaining $8.35 million is still being determined, but the satisfactory performance guideline will remain in effect.

University of Wyoming President, Dick McGinity, stated that it was important to get some “sort” of compensation for faculty: McGinity on Getting Pay Raises

To cover additional cost, UW will have to explore other options for resources. One option discussed during the meeting was increasing tuition for students by 4 percent.

Proposed rates for students per credit hour:

Resident undergraduates would pay $112.
Non-resident undergraduates would pay $436.
Resident Graduate Student would have to pay $218.
Non-resident Graduate Students would pay $635.

The revenue from the tuition would not go to faculty's salaries. The resources would be allocated to:

A&S Structural Funding
Learning Management System (in lieu of separate student fee) Libraries.
Labs/equipment/ supplies
Step

Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill and other board members, are against the raise in tuition. Their concern is the loss of 18 high-performing faculty members due to the lack of competitive salaries. Another concern is the 6 to 8 years needed to replace that amount of educational production.

The Bboard will make decisions on salary raise distribution and tuition fee increases during the meetings on March 27-28.