SEMO regents approve salary study; raises planned for early 2014

Salary increases are in store for faculty and staff at Southeast Missouri State University in early 2014 under a plan approved Thursday by the university's board of regents.

The increases, recommended by the consulting firm J.W. Terrill of St. Louis, take effect Jan. 1 for 251 employees across many university departments -- from faculty to administrative assistants, pipe fitters and welders. Total projected cost is $1.24 million from the general fund and $212,871 from auxiliary and designated revenue, according to the university, which equates to a 2 percent "salary increase pool" for all eligible employee groups.

University president Kenneth Dobbins said the increases are a way to attract and retain quality faculty and staff.

Thomas M. Meyer, a board of regents member from Cape Girardeau, moved to approve the study, which was seconded by board member Jay Knudtson, also of Cape Girardeau.

" ... This needed to be addressed, and with the quality of the employees, staff and professors, we are so proud we are in a position to give this to them," said Meyer, who has been on the board for two years.

Based on parameters outlined for each employee group, there are 115 faculty positions, or 29 percent of faculty, eligible for salary adjustments; 106, or 28 percent, of administrative and professional staff; 99, or 48 percent, of clerical, technical and service employees; and 37, or 42 percent, of operating engineers -- plumbers, electricians and pipe fitters, among others.

The operating engineers have until Nov. 30 to determine how to implement the raises, Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and administration, said.

Southeast contracted with J.W. Terrill in the spring to conduct a study comparing Southeast faculty and staff salaries to median pay at comparable institutions. The firm polled 18 universities across the Midwest.

The consultants also were asked to recommend a future compensation philosophy "sensitive to university variables," such as salary compression, difficulty recruiting or retaining faculty and staff, and best industry practices, the university said. Salary compression happens when a new staff member's salary comes close to that of a more experienced and high-performing staffer.

Market median salary information would be updated every four to five years, under the university's plan.

In other business:

• A report on the university's cybersecurity program was presented, which has 90 students enrolled. Assistant professor Vijay Anand reviewed the program's goals and accomplishments and noted the first 10 students will graduate in May. One of its goals is to attain National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education accreditation with the National Security Agency and become a cybersecurity center for the Department of Homeland Security.
• Approved reappointing William Holland, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, as a university representative on the River Campus Board of Managers. Holland's new term will expire Dec. 1, 2016. He has served as the designated representative for Swayne Byrd, who died in May. That term expires Dec. 1, according to a university news release. Along with Holland, other university board members are Dr. Bill Eddleman, vice provost and dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Rhonda Weller-Stilson, director of the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts. City representatives are Dennis Vollink, Jerry Ford and Ruth Knote.
• Reappointed Mangels, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer at Southeast, to the Show Me Center Board of Managers. Mangels' new term will expire Dec. 1, 2016. Along with Mangels, university representatives are Mike Buck, director of recreational sports, and Dr. Beth Easter, associate professor of health, human performance and recreation. City representatives are city manager Scott Meyer, Luke Landgraf and Cordell Dombrowski.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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