2008 Woodie Awards
Faculty Salary Dispute Settled
Elizabeth Antenucci
Issue date: 5/15/06 Section: News
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The Board of Administration and the Faculty Senate have agreed upon a three percent cost of living salary increase for the faculty this year.
Despite a predicted a year of fiscal surplus for the college by President Louise Feroe, the faculty were not given their expected four percent increase, and were initially offered only a two percent increase.
Meetings and negotiations were held with the administration, the board of trustees, and the faculty association to reach an agreement for a fair increase. "This year's budget is based on a less conservative enrollment projection than last year," said Louise Feroe, Mercy College president.
"While I believe it is attainable, we will have to work hard and work smart to achieve it-and I have great confidence that we will. Also, I believe that having one plan brings more cohesiveness to the community, and I decided that our best course was to propose an equal increase for all faculty and administrative staff."
Feroe also stated that if the college surpasses the budgeted enrollment goal, additional monies would be made available to allocate for critical projects that are not included in the 2007 fiscal year budget.
"These include tackling more of the deferred maintenance at Dobbs Ferry and beginning a comprehensive review of all program curricula-including general education curriculum-to develop plans and processes to assure that our academic programs well-prepare students to be competitive in a global economy…These investments in our facilities and programs, like those in our human resources, represent the future of Mercy College," said Feroe.
"As we continue to refine our ability to achieve and surpass our enrollment and academic quality goals, we will be well-poised to continue to invest in the people and the programs that make Mercy College great."
Some faculty members are frustrated with the low percentage agreement. "That doesn't fit with the fact that the college has had fiscal surplus for years and the president predicted a bright outlook for the future," said English professor and faculty association member Howard Canaan.
Despite a predicted a year of fiscal surplus for the college by President Louise Feroe, the faculty were not given their expected four percent increase, and were initially offered only a two percent increase.
Meetings and negotiations were held with the administration, the board of trustees, and the faculty association to reach an agreement for a fair increase. "This year's budget is based on a less conservative enrollment projection than last year," said Louise Feroe, Mercy College president.
"While I believe it is attainable, we will have to work hard and work smart to achieve it-and I have great confidence that we will. Also, I believe that having one plan brings more cohesiveness to the community, and I decided that our best course was to propose an equal increase for all faculty and administrative staff."
Feroe also stated that if the college surpasses the budgeted enrollment goal, additional monies would be made available to allocate for critical projects that are not included in the 2007 fiscal year budget.
"These include tackling more of the deferred maintenance at Dobbs Ferry and beginning a comprehensive review of all program curricula-including general education curriculum-to develop plans and processes to assure that our academic programs well-prepare students to be competitive in a global economy…These investments in our facilities and programs, like those in our human resources, represent the future of Mercy College," said Feroe.
"As we continue to refine our ability to achieve and surpass our enrollment and academic quality goals, we will be well-poised to continue to invest in the people and the programs that make Mercy College great."
Some faculty members are frustrated with the low percentage agreement. "That doesn't fit with the fact that the college has had fiscal surplus for years and the president predicted a bright outlook for the future," said English professor and faculty association member Howard Canaan.
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