Yesterday, the FAMU Board of Trustees Budget and Finance Committee unanimously backed a $1.4 million proposal to award bonuses to university employees. If approved by the full board at today’s meeting, the package will provide a one-time pay bump of $1,000 to 1,300 FAMU professors and staffers.
While the bonus seems headed for an affirmative vote, some trustees voiced concern that most FAMU workers haven't received an across-the-board salary increase in five years.
Unlike the University of Florida and Florida State University, which laid off faculty and staff during the most recent round of state budget cuts and used proceeds from its tuition differential to grant salary increases to their employees, FAMU chose not to lay off any staff and doesn't have the same differential tuition option. As a result, FAMU has suffered disproportionate budget cut-backs over the past few years.
Read more at the Tallahassee Democrat or WCTV-6.
UPDATE: The FAMU Board of Trustees unanimously approved the employee bonus today. WCTV-6 also reported that President James Ammons promised to make a faculty/staff salary increase his #1 priority in FAMU's 2009-2010 legislative budget request.
I teach at the university, and contrary to the so-called "raise," which was promised (at the most recent Presidential Forum), I guess this $1,000 -- which, after taxes, will equal a bit over $600 -- is the grand substitute for that promised raise. The FAMU faculty is the lowest paid faculty in all of the state university schools in the system. We work extremely hard, do without the basics, and we care about the students. Our dedication and efforts have not been rewarded, but we trudge along in hopes that something good is coming from our efforts: that the students will do well and the university will prosper. But we can't live on efforts and "something good." The bill collectors don't accept words as payment. We really, really need to be treated as professionals and not as indentured servants.
ReplyDelete1:10 AM, I really do appreciate you and the other FAMU professors. FAMU has the hardest working and most dedicated professors in the world. Both of my children graduated from FAMU. My wife and I are extremely pleased with the education that they received. My wife and I are also graduates of FAMU. These are tough economic times and I understand you completely about your pay. I do believe that things will get better and the university will take good care of its employees. We appreciate you and the other professors very much and pray that you all will receive the compensation that you deserve in the very near future. Please hang on a little longer. We thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's better than nothing!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd its better to have a job where you're able to receive the said bonus vs not being employed at all. Be thankful. With so many standing in the unemployment line, learn to just say thank you.
ReplyDeleteActually, in the most recent forum, Dr. Ammons did use the word "bonus" and not raise. Although I would prefer something to my bottom line number, I am very grateful for the $1000. Let's just hope they decide to pay the taxes on it for us.
ReplyDeleteI work in state government as a manager. What we've been told behind the scene is that we can expect as much as a 10% cut in the summer, or earlier next year. You won't hear that from government leaders because most are afraid to be up front with their employees. More jobs will be cut next year even if there is money because the underlying Republican agenda is to use this crisis to cut government, and not just people, but programs. FACT!
ReplyDeleteI am a Rattler whose three siblings and a parent graduated from FAMU. I also have a child there now. I have often said that the instructors are great and if the administrative staff could be as efficient and professional we'd be okay. Regardless, this is a time to be steadfast and remain committed. When the ship is stable then you should demand more financially from those who steer it; and there's nothing wrong with demanding more professionally now.
In the meantime, may the rest of us continue our prayers and financial support to the University least we have nothing to say!
I am employed by the University and have been for a number of years. FAMU is a fine institution and I am extremely proud to call myself a "Rattler". I am a member of the Boosters and whenever I can I contribute to the cause for keeping the namesake in tack I will. I love FAMU and as long as I can continue to work here I am extremely proud and happy to have a job. So "Thank You."
ReplyDelete9:06, you must've attended a different forum from the one that I attended. I heard "raise." You heard "bonus." I say "potato." You say "potaato."
ReplyDeleteTo: 8:05
ReplyDeleteFrom: 1:10 Thank you for a very nice comment. Many times bloggers write very ugly comments about faculty members and oftentimes, when we offer a complaint or comment about university goings-on, we are told to "go find another job," or "quit complaining." Many of us remain (and have remained) at the university for all of the reasons I stated in my 1:10 comment. It's nice to know that there are folks out there that appreciate our good work. We keep going because we know that our students need us. We just hope that we are doing a little bit of good. (And before the complaining folks tell me to "get back to work" or say "the university is not paying you to be online at RN," I must say that I am not on campus, and I am in the privacy of my own home on my own computer, and I'm simply taking a "blogging break" from my university & academic work.)
1:03 PM, this is 8:05 AM. You guys do a great job with our kids. FAMU has been a wonderful experience for our family and we appreciate all of the professors for a job well done. Thank you for positively influencing my kids for life.
ReplyDeleteI say "potato." You say "potaato."
ReplyDelete10/08/2008 12:13 PM
It's still the same thing!!!!
I echo 10/08/2008 8:05 AM's sentiment. I would like to say Thank you as well....