College of DuPage Offers Faculty Average 3.42 Percent Salary Increase for Four Years
College of DuPage is offering its full-time faculty members an average annual salary increase of 3.42 percent for the next four years.
Currently, COD full-time faculty members have an average annual salary for a nine-month (168 working days) teaching load of approximately $100,000. IBHE Data (2010) indicates that COD is at the highest average salary for all Illinois community colleges and public four-year institutions.
The College has offered increases to overall faculty salaries of 2.85, 3.15, 3.55 and 4.15percent over the course if this contract. This represents an annual compounded yield of 3.42 percent.
“Our faculty has been offered an excellent set of salary increases for the next four years,” COD President Robert L. Breuder said. “Given our present weakened economy and job market, I believe most taxpayers would think an average annual pay increase of 3.42 percent to be more than fair.”
Below are some of the key changes regarding the College's negotiations with the full-time faculty.
The College is currently in negotiations to realign the current full-time faculty contract to reflect present economic conditions and public expectations. The College has already successfully negotiated three other employee contracts this year.
COD full-time faculty members have an average annual salary for a nine-month (168 working days) teaching load of approximately $100,000. IBHE Data (2010) indicates that COD is at the highest average salary for all Illinois community colleges and public four-year institutions.
The College has offered increases to overall faculty salaries of 2.85, 3.15, 3.55 and 4.15percent over the course of this contract. This represents an annual compounded yield of 3.42 percent.
COD seeks to end a lavish retirement benefit that allows faculty to earn a BONUS of up to 100 percent of their base pay (current average faculty base is approximately $100,000) which is paid during their final years of employment and post retirement. This bonus is in addition to their salary and pension payments. This “Supplemental Retirement” is not a responsible use of taxpayer or tuition dollars, and the College believes this should end.
The College has proposed that all faculty pay 20 percent of health care premiums, which is consistent with other employee groups and the general market at large. Currently, full-time faculty pays 20 percent toward family coverage, but faculty members with single coverage pay only 10 percent.
Currently full-time faculty and their dependents take COD classes for free. COD believes it is reasonable for faculty and their dependents to pay 1/3 of the cost of tuition and all fees associated with classes, as is required of other employee groups.
College of DuPage currently pays a premium to have a summer course taught by a full-time faculty member versus a part-time faculty member. With an average nine-month salary of approximately $100,000, a full-time faculty member would receive $23,000 to teach nine summer credit hours compared to approximately $9,000 paid to a part-time faculty member. College of DuPage proposes gradually reducing full time faculty summer teaching pay to a more reasonable level, but an amount which is still a premium above what is paid to a part-time faculty member.
Currently up to 15 faculty members (out of 300) a year can be released for a full-year sabbatical leave at 75percent pay or a one-semester leave at full pay. The College wishes to limit the number of faculty one-semester /sabbatical leaves to five per year and reduce compensation for full-year sabbatical leaves to 50 percent pay, which is in line with other institutions.