Statement by the AAUP Executive Council
October 4, 2007

On September 19th, members of the UC Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) began the voting process on a tentative contract that includes some increases in health care expenses, a loss of some tuition remission benefits, and a pay increase of 2% deferred to January 2008, with a total salary increase of 8.5% over three years. While a solid contract in other areas, there is no doubt that it is not a good financial package for UC faculty.

Then, on September 25th, UC’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a pay raise from $343,000 to $410,577 – and an additional bonus of $114,047 – for President Nancy Zimpher.  Trustee H. C. Buck Niehoff, declared: “This compensation package is intended to be a reward and a recognition for outstanding performance.” 

While it is true that President Zimpher has done a good job, many of the performance standards she is judged on are directly attributable to the work of UC faculty. 

The Board’s offer of this very large raise and bonus, and the President’s acceptance of it, has appalled and demoralized both faculty and staff who have been asked, over and over again, to sacrifice financially for the long-term good of the university.

Despite this regrettable move the AAUP leadership, recognizing UC’s financial difficulties, urged its members last week to ratify the tentative agreement.  And the membership did ratify the new 2007-2010 contract on October 4th.

Unfortunately, with this decision, the Board of Trustees has seriously undermined faculty confidence in the leadership’s commitment to shared sacrifice and greater effort on behalf of “all UC.” We must start investing in people instead of buildings.