Faculty Sacrifice for Student Aid Gain

Robert Morris University (Pa.) is no different from other institutions in feeling the economic crunch. Spending cuts have been implemented since the fall, with most departments seeing a 15 percent reduction. The university has imposed a staff hiring freeze as well. And in March President Gregory G. Dell'Omo announced a freeze on salaries for all non-faculty staff, in order to generate an additional $570,000 in financial aid. That's an important move in a school where 90 percent of students get some sort of aid. 

After the salary freeze announcement, a number of faculty members, including Faculty Federation President Seth Finn, stepped forward to ask how the faculty could help. Now that union, which represents 145 professors and other instructors, has agreed to give up more than half of the 2.75 percent annual raise due under their collective bargaining agreement so that university can boost financial aid coffers even more. This will allow the university to shift an extra $180,000 into scholarship funds for new and returning students. RMU’s total pool of financial aid will be about $16 million in 2009-10.

Despite the cost cutting, RMU continues to hire faculty, in order to maintain the quality of its academic programs. Its leadership continues to move forward with several strategic initiatives, including a new building complex for the School of Business; a nursing simulation lab; and continued renovations to academic buildings and residence halls. 

Although the faculty aren't sacrificing their entire raise, the union's move is a great example of how collective sacrifice for the good of students is key in today's economic climate.