The flawed promise of a pay raise for state employees may slight professors who would have likely received a pay raise based on performance.
For the past several years, salary increases have been based strictly on merit. Any employee who received a "satisfactory" or "above satisfactory" on their performance evaluations would be eligible for the pay raise.
However, upon the promise by Gov. Jane Hull to issue pay raises to state employees, the Arizona Board of Regents and the state Legislature decided that university salary increases be based on new guidelines for 2002, which would provide merit raises only if there are available monies left over.
The new salary increases are dependent on whether the Legislature will be able to salvage the pay raises in the midst of a devastating budget deficit.
Now, with the promise of pay raises wavering and merit raises placed as a last priority, there is a possibility that no ASU employee will receive a raise. This includes professors who have performed outstandingly in the recent year.
"If the pay raises are eliminated (ASU employees) will receive nothing, nada, zilch," said Pam Mulhearn, president-elect of the classified staff counsel.
Mulhearn is concerned about the effect this will have on the University, since it could cause ASU to lose its top professors.
"We can't offer them what they need to compete," Mulhearn said. "It is definitely a problem."
Under salary guidelines enacted last fall, full-time and part-time ASU employees who were hired on or before June 30, 2001 and make less than $30,000 a year would receive a $1,500 salary increase, regardless of how well they performed on their evaluation.
Those who make more than $30,000 would receive a 5 percent raise that would be divided based on the decision of each department.
The Legislature is re-evaluating these guidelines in light of the budget problems.
Mernoy Harrison, vice provost of administrative services, said the main concern right now is to try to convince the state Legislature and governor that these salary increases are essential to the University.
Harrison said it is too soon to speculate what approach the University will take if the pay raises are eliminated, but said that if the Legislature drastically cuts the appropriated funds, then there clearly will be no raises available.
Reach the reporter at joanne.yuan@asu.edu.
