WILL PJC's NEW PRESIDENT'S SALARY RANK 20TH IN THE STATE?

During the open forum at the Milton campus, the topic of salaries was raised. I would very much urge the new president to make a commitment to raising faculty salaries. The 5% raise this year (2007) and the 4% raise in 2006 were greatly needed, but failed to adequately address the issue of fair compensation.

The salary article of the PJC collective bargaining agreement contains a commitment to increase faculty salaries to be within the top 20% of salaries for Florida’s junior and community colleges. That goal should put PJC’s average salary at about the 5th or 6th position in ranking. In the fall of 2000, PJC reached the 10th ranking. According to the Florida Community College System Fact Book, as of the Fall 2006 semester, PJC faculty’s average salary was ranked 20th out of 28 community colleges - approximately $6500 below the state average. In seven years, PJC has dropped ten positions in salary ranking rather than climb to number 5 or 6.

We are in a competitive environment. As the presidential search takes place, we know we have to offer a salary that will attract the best. Will the best apply for the president’s position if the salary offered is ranked 20th in the state? Certainly not. How can PJC attract the best instructors by offering such a low salary? We can't.

I urge the Presidential Screening Committee to select candidates for consideration who will develop a plan to fulfill the commitment to increase faculty salaries to be within the top 20% of Florida’s community colleges. A commitment without a plan has been proven to be no commitment at all.