Letters to the Editor

Administration, AAUP Begin Negotiations

Dear Colleagues:

I write to remind you that beginning this semester, the UNH administration and the UNH chapter of the AAUP will begin negotiations for a new faculty contract. As I wrote to you at this time three years ago, I sincerely hope that we reach a fair agreement in a collegial manner before the current contract expires in June. Indeed, the last round of negotiations was respectful, productive and timely; I call upon everyone involved to maintain that standard this time around.

During the last negotiation process, I promised compensation for our faculty that would be commensurate with their excellence as teachers and scholars. We delivered on that promise. Among the New England land-grant universities, UNH faculty salaries are now above the mean in all ranks — 3.6 % for full professors, 1.8 % for associate professors; and 5.7 % for assistant professors. This represents a remarkable turnaround since 1990, when average full, associate, and assistant professors’ salaries were below the respective means by 9.3 percent, 7.4 percent, and 9.9 percent. Relative to the 14 comparator universities used for the last round of negotiations, we are above the mean for two ranks (2.2 % for associate professors and 2 % for assistant professors) and slightly below the mean (.5 percent) for full professors. We will work hard in these negotiations to maintain the substantial ground we have gained.

Negotiations will again be conducted and managed by campus administrators. Provost Bruce Mallory will serve as chief negotiator, assisted by Assistant Provost Jim Varn. Jim McCarthy, Dean of the School of Health and Human Services, will be the deans’ representative and Associate Provost Alan Ray will serve as an advisor. I am also pleased to tell you that Candace Corvey, who retired as Vice President for Finance and Administration in December, has agreed to work with us through the negotiation process.

The Chancellor and Board of Trustees have once again entrusted UNH with the responsibility to conduct negotiations and recommend an agreement that 1) reflects the University's particular mission, 2) responsibly manages the financial and human resources of the University, and 3) is consistent with legitimate public expectations that we will take actions that are defensible under the current economic conditions.

The current economic conditions are challenging. Although we are blessed with increased tuition revenues due to strong enrollment, they are offset in other areas. In 2005, for the first time in history, state funding constituted less than 15 percent of the university’s total revenue — the lowest rate in the nation for state support per capita. And, like other institutions, the University is facing enormous financial drains from the increasing cost of fringe benefits and a sharp rise in utility costs.

In spite of continual financial struggles, we have visibly demonstrated that our faculty is this University’s most valued resource. We remain committed to reaching an agreement before the end of June that is fair to our faculty and fiscally responsible.

Ann Weaver Hart
President

(01/25/05)