UWeek Vol.16, No.30 June 3, 1999

With only two votes against and one abstention, the Faculty Senate passed Class A Legislation significantly revising Volume II, Part II, Chapter 24 of the Faculty Code. This particular chapter deals with the roles, responsibilities and rewards of the faculty including salary policy.

The vote was the climax of a process that started two years ago and involved many people in a number of committees, numerous meetings of the Faculty Council on Faculty Affairs, four meetings of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and three meetings of the Faculty Senate. In the end, the vote was a rare display of unanimity by the Faculty Senate on such an extensive legislative package of procedures, rules and regulations.

What is new in this legislation that made it so appealing to the senators? The new features were outlined in University Week about a month ago by Vice Chair Gerry Philipsen, but allow me to again remind you of these features:

Faculty members are called upon to participate in the strategic planning of their units for the benefit of the University as well as their own;

Faculty members are provided with the opportunity to negotiate variable weight in the balance of teaching, research and service;

Teaching is given more weight in promotions than in the past;

Evaluation of teaching involves more than student opinions, and encourages departments to find ways to assess student learning;

Meritorious faculty are assured of a minimum annual increase in salary (initially 2 percent) throughout their career, and additional merit increases, when available;

Substantial raises for those promoted (initially 7.5 percent on top of the minimum 2 percent);

Provides funds for the units for “market” adjustments and counter offers;

Provides for regular review and funding of salary floors for each rank;

Requires at all administrative levels systematic participation of faculty in decisions regarding allocation of new salary monies;

Faculty members judged “non-meritorious” will be reviewed by their colleagues to determine possible injustices or to advise on a development program.

The faculty’s elected representatives did their part. Now is the faculty’s turn. Please consider the legislation carefully and vote without delay. ¶

Theodore Kaltsounis, Faculty Senate Chair

University Week
The faculty and staff publication of the University of Washington
uweek@u.washington.edu
June 3, 1999