UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 30, Page 1
May 6, 1993
Study says salaries competitive; 4.75% available in merit pool

     The University has achieved market parity for both professional and
salaried staff positions-the result of a four-year program of structural
adjustments, according to Maxine Colm, vice president for employee
relations, who announced a 4.75 percent merit pool would be available for
professional and salaried staff salary increases in 1993-94.
     "I am pleased that our studies show our employee salaries are
competitive in the regional marketplace and that there is no longer a need
for structural adjustments for these employee groups. Our goal with the
structural adjustment program since 1989 has been to reach market parity
and that has now been achieved," Colm said.
     The structural adjustment program, in place since 1989, was originally
established to help make the salaries of professional and salaried staff
internally consistent and competitive with external markets, Colm
explained.
     "As a result of structural adjustments," she said, "salaries for both
employee groups have become increasingly competitive within the regional
marketplace."
     A year-long study just completed, comparing median salaries at the
University with those at other institutions in the mid-Atlantic region,
shows that individuals holding similar positions at the University of
Delaware were at or above the median for professional positions and at or
close to the median for salaried staff positions, Colm said.
     To ensure ongoing market parity, the University will conduct
comparative salary studies on a regular basis and will share the results
with the University community, she said.
     In addition, the University will continue to review the salaries of
faculty, professionals and salaried staff on a three-year, cyclical basis
to be certain they are internally consistent, Colm said.