Kansas State University

A letter from the Faculty Senate leadership

Submitted by Tom Vontz

Dear Colleagues:

 We write to encourage you to attend the Special Session of the Faculty Senate on Monday, May 14, at 3 p.m. in the Hemisphere Room of Hale Library.

 We need a plan — a clear plan to align faculty and unclassified salaries with the goals and vision of K-State 2025.  In our view, much of K-State 2025 depends on the quality of people we retain and attract at Kansas State University.  Our current salary structure does not allow us to retain or attract the kind of people who will help us make Kansas State University a top 50 public research university.

 A panel of university officials, including President Schulz, Provost Mason, and Vice President Shubert will be there to listen to our recommendations and concerns.

The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate has approved the following benchmarks—they will be considered by the Faculty Senate at our May 8 meeting.

• By 2015, salaries of K-State faculty and unclassified staff will be equal to or exceed 85% of the median salary level of faculty (according to rank and academic discipline) and unclassified staff (according to title) at land grant institutions ranked among the top 50 public research institutions. 
• By 2018, salaries of K-State faculty and unclassified staff will be equal to or exceed 90% of the median salary level of faculty (according to rank and academic discipline) and unclassified staff (according to title) at land grant institutions ranked among the top 50 public research institutions. 
• By 2021, salaries of K-State faculty and unclassified staff will be equal to or exceed 95% of the median salary level of faculty (according to rank and academic discipline) and unclassified staff (according to title) at land grant institutions ranked among the top 50 public research institutions. 
• By 2025, salaries of K-State faculty and unclassified staff will be equal to or exceed the median salary level of faculty (according to rank and academic discipline) and unclassified staff (according to title) at land grant institutions ranked among the top 50 public research institutions. 
• **K-State salaries, on average, are currently at 77.5% of the median for faculty and unclassified staff at land grant institutions ranked among the top 50 research institutions.

 In addition to being consistent with K-State 2025, we believe these benchmarks are clear, reasonable, and defensible.

Faculty Senate will make the Special Session available to our Salina colleagues through polycom.  The Special Session, however, will not be streamed live.

 See you on May 14!

Thomas S. Vontz, President

James Bloodgood, President Elect

Betsy Cauble, Past President

Loleta Sump, Secretary

Kaleen Knopp and Judy Hughey, Co-Chairs, Faculty Affairs Committee

Andy Bennett, Chair, Academic Affairs Committee

Bob Condia, Chair, Faculty Senate Committee on University Planning

Dave Rintoul, Chair Faculty Senate Committee on Technology