California State University Dominguez Hills Academic Senate Resolution

FPC-00-25

Resolution on Closing the Faculty Salary Gap

Resolution:

We urge that the California State University (CSU) Chancellor and Board of Trustees close the salary gap identified by the California Post-secondary Education Commission (CPEC) and that this be their first and foremost priority with regard to faculty salaries. Closing this gap should be the result of an implementation plan that parallels actions previously taken by the Board of Trustees to remedy the salary gap for CSU Presidents.

In accordance with this priority, we strongly recommend that the CSU salary gap be closed before available salary monies are allocated to merit pay awards.

Rationale:

Given the State budgetary surpluses and the existing program to remedy the salary gap for CSU presidents, the existence of a faculty salary gap as determined by CPEC hurts faculty morale. Moreover, implementation of a merit-based program at a time when all faculty salaries are below those at comparable institutions may increase faculty divisiveness, because all could fairly regard themselves as entitled to higher remuneration. Therefore, the gap should be closed prior to (or at least concurrent with) the reestablishment of a merit-based system.