Learning
(2009-08-20)
Listen Now:
COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
University of Missouri System officials want to attract more faculty, but they need to develop a plan first. KBIA's Maureen McCollum attended a meeting yesterday, which got the discussion started.
null
Board curators, chancellors, financial experts, and others gathered via the new Telepresence centers futuristic-looking rooms with large flat screen TVs showing attendees at all four campuses. The meeting's purpose was to figure out how to make the system more attractive to potential employees and be more competitive among similar schools. Studies show that UM System salaries and benefits are lower than peer universities. Vice President of Human Resources Betsy Rodriguez says this is partially attributed to low starting salaries.
"I think there was this perception that we had this fairly rich benefit program and that's how we could sustain these lower salaries and I think what you saw today is that's not in fact the case."
Rodriguez says departments have to work within their budgets, which are not increasing, therefore, neither are salaries.
Some curators raised the issue that increasing salaries would result in cutbacks elsewhere.
System administrators also questioned whether changing the retirement plan would attract more employees. Currently, the system has a defined benefit plan. It's a pension plan which employees pay into over time and reap the benefits after years of service.
A consultant's report was presented on whether it would be beneficial to switch new employees to a defined contribution plan. This is similar to a 401K plan and makes the funds more portable for employees. Rodriguez says it's only an idea.
"I think there's still a lot of information that we need. Most importantly, as I mentioned, we haven't done the employee survey yet, so we need to get sense of where our employees are on this issue. It's a very tough issue to grapple with. If we were to make that decision, we're some time away from that."
No solutions were finalized at yesterday's meeting, it's purpose was only to get the conversation rolling.
© Copyright 2012, KBIA
