Staff balks at call to boost faculty pay

But University of Arizona Provost Paul Sypherd said the fears were based on a misinterpretation of comments he made, and that he would never advocate a diversion of staff funds.

The concerns came in the wake of a Dec. 3 Arizona Daily Wildcat article that explained a report done by Sypherd over the past five years, which showed that 91 faculty members and sought-after recruits were lost to other universities because the UA could not compete with the salaries offered.

In an e-mail interview, Sypherd was asked if state funding that the UA requested last month for all classes of employees would be used instead for faculty.

Sypherd responded by saying, "We have in the past used money specified for 'staff' in just that way, and would continue that in the future."

Patricia Perkins, president of the Staff Advisory Council, said Friday that Sypherd's comment raised questions among classified staff members.

"Don't propose money for faculty, and propose money for classified staff, and use it for faculty," Perkins said. "I think both faculty and staff work for the betterment of the university."

Sypherd responded to the concerns Friday afternoon in an online Lo Que Pasa letter, stating that the comment about past practices was misinterpreted.

"Here I am referring to market salary comparisons, which help us establish appropriate pay rates for our employees in all groups," he said. "I was not in any way suggesting that we have used staff money for faculty salaries; instead, my intent was to emphasize how important market salary funds are for faculty, as they have proven to be for staff."

Last week's Wildcat article also discussed ways the UA could raise the money needed to make faculty pay more competitive.

The regents proposed in November that the Arizona Legislature pass a $25.9 million increase for faculty pay and $21.8 million for staff and other employees' pay over the next four years. UA President Peter Likins said it was unlikely the request would be approved.

Perkins said using staff money for faculty is wrong regardless of the Legislature's decision.

"The concern is requesting money for faculty and using it for staff," she said.

Still, Sypherd said the UA simply doesn't have enough money to draw top faculty to the school.

"Indeed, it is true that if we were to address the full extent of faculty salary shortcomings at this institution, a sum equal or greater to our current salary request (from the state) would be needed," he said in Friday's letter.

Gisella Duell, a UA classified staff employee picked to advise Likins on staff matters, said she understands the need for quality faculty, but that reallocating staff funds for faculty would not be fair.

"I don't think salaries here are at market level and that is a known fact, apparently," Duell said. "We do a good job. We try to do the best job we can, and if salary increases are made available, we should be entitled."

Duell said she wanted to know if the UA has a history of diverting staff funds to faculty members.

"How often has it happened in the past, and how much money have we lost out on?" she asked.

Perkins said the advisory council, which represents all UA staff members, planned to talk with Sypherd about his comments to determine if any further action was necessary.

The council might request a meeting with the UA human resources compensation department, Sypherd or Likins to voice the staff's concerns.

Sypherd emphasized that his statements did not amount to a call for taking funds away from staff members.

"In no way would I advocate that salary adjustment monies allocated to staff be used to enhance the salaries of faculty," he said in the letter. "Simply put, that would be wrong."

Sypherd could not be reached over the weekend for further comment.

Anthony C. Braza can be reached via e-mail at Anthony.C.Braza@wildcat.arizona.edu.