Summer 2005

Trustees Approve 6 Percent Merit Increase Pool

By Jane Lingo

At its May 20 meeting, the GW’s Board of Trustees voted for merit increase programs for faculty and staff effective Jan. 1, 2006. The Board also approved an additional appropriation designed to bring the average salaries of assistant professors to the 80th percentile of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) national average and to make progress toward the same goal for full professors.

The Board agreed to raise the merit increase pool provided to each vice president to 6 percent of his or her payroll. These funds may be allocated to their units in a way each vice president deems appropriate.

The additional appropriation related to faculty salaries was recommended by President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. GW associate professors are already at the 83rd percentile of the AAUP national average.

“Merit increases have usually occurred on a 12-month cycle, although an 18-month cycle is not unprecedented,” President Trachtenberg stated in a letter sent to faculty and staff. “Proceeding from January 2006, our goal is to maintain a 12-month cycle with a contingent objective of 4 percent for January 2007.”

In his letter, President Trachtenberg referred to the continuing economic pressure independent colleges and universities are experiencing due to the cost of compliance with new federal and state statues and regulations, some reduction in government support for higher education, and cautious reaction of donors to the volatile stock market. He also pointed out the continuing competition for the best students, faculty, and staff, bringing with it “the need to invest prudently and apply our limited dollars as effectively as possible.” Increased construction costs and the need for maintaining existing facilities require additional support, he noted. The GW funded scholarship budget for 2005–06 will exceed $100 million.

“I want there to be no doubt that the leadership of your University values the contributions of everyone,” said Trachtenberg.

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