Salary Grievances - Policy & Procedures for Equity
I. Scope of the Policy
A basic principle of faculty compensation at this University is that faculty at the same
rank. whose performance is at comparable levels of merit, and with comparable years of
service to the University, should receive comparable salaries when adjusted for market
differences between disciplines. A faculty member who believes that his or her current
compensation is in violation of this principle may file a salary grievance, according to
the guidelines of this policy.
This policy is designed to address allegations of salary inequities that are based upon
individual internal comparisons. The policy does not apply to perceived inequities based
upon external comparisons. While the issue of salary comparison with other institutions is
significant, and will be addressed by the University, it is not a subject for these
policies and procedures.
II. Grievance Committees
1. Each college or school shall have in place a Salary Grievance
Committee. This may (but need not) be the Dean's (First
Level) Review Committee for the college or school. The structure of this committee and the
process for salary review within the college or school shall be determined by the faculty
and dean of that unit.
2. The Vice Chancellor's Review Committee shall serve as the campus
Salary Grievance Committee.
III. Grievance Process
1. A faculty member shall file her or his salary grievance with the dean
of the faculty member's college or school prior to March first. The grievance shall
include the faculty member's reasons for believing there is a salary inequity . The
grievant should expect a response from the dean within two
months of filing.
2. The dean will request the chair of the department to prepare an
analysis and recommendation. If this is not possible or appropriate, the dean or associate
dean will prepare an analysis.
3. The dean will then forward the grievance, with prior analyses, to the
college Salary Grievance Committee for review and recommendation.
4. Upon receipt of the committee recommendation, the dean wil1 make a
recommendation and will inform the candidate of this recommendation and the recommendation
of the Salary Grievance Committee.
5. a) The dean recommends a salary increase.
The dean makes such a recommendation to the VCAA. In consultation with the dean, the VCAA
will confirm or deny the increase. To assist with this decision, the VCAA may request the
advice of the VCAA Review Committee.
b) The dean recommends no
salary increase. This concludes the grievance, unless the grievant appeals in writing
to the VCAA. The VCAA will then forward the grievance, with all prior information, to the
VCAA Review Committee for review and recommendation. Upon receipt of the VCAA Review
Committee's recommendation, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will review all
materials and determine the outcome of the grievance.
6. The VCAA will respond within one month of receiving the dean's
recommendation or the grievant's appeal. The decision of the VCAA, with the concurrence of
the Chancellor, shall conclude the grievance on this campus.
7. At any stage of the process, any committee or reviewer will be
provided with additional information relevant to the grievance, when disclosure of the
information does not violate and State or Federal laws.
IV. Implementation of Salary Adjustments
1. All salary adjustments shall be effective September 1 following the
final decision, but merit salary increase percentages shall be calculated on a base that
includes the proposed increase.
2. Unless otherwise negotiated, funding for salary adjustments shall
come from the merit increase pool that is
allocated that year to the college or school of the grievant.
November 4, 1999