Compensation Receives Priority in Budgeting Process

Hard work, fiscal restraint, difficult choices and a lot of patience all have brought the University to the pleasant position that today allowed campus leaders to announce that all regular employees will receive a 4 percent cost of living salary increase effective March 1. 

Cost-saving measures implemented by departments across campus, strong enrollment and high retention were key factors in helping to ensure that Concordia will finish the fiscal year in the black.  The University enjoyed high total enrollment in Fall 07 and retained those students better than ever.  In fact, nearly 90 percent of the traditional fall class returned to campus this semester – one of the highest fall-to-spring retention rates in recent history.  Retention is historically high in cohort-delivered programs, but a dramatic increase in College of Education graduate cohort starts this year also made an impact. 

The FY09 budget, which runs July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, also will include an additional 3 percent cost of living adjustment beginning in January 2009.  Further, the University is projecting an additional 3 percent cost of living adjustment in the FY10 budget year. The budget task force (Bob DeWerff, Eric LaMott, Michael Dorner, Heather Riddle, Mary Arnold and Brian Heinemann) also is in the process of modeling a new compensation structure for faculty at all ranks from term to full professor.  Benchmarks against College and University Personnel Association for Human Resources, Minnesota Private College Council, Concordia University System and various online institutions revealed that faculty salaries are significantly below those of peer institutions.  The budget task force is developing a four-year strategy to correct this disparity. 

“Our employees are, without question, the most important asset we have at Concordia,” said Dr. Eric LaMott, vice president for Administration.  “The past couple of years have been difficult for faculty and staff as we have grappled with budget shortfalls and worked together to set and meet aggressive new targets while maintaining the university’s fiscal stability.  It’s gratifying to see everyone’s dedication and hard work, literally, paying off as we successfully meet these institutional goals.”