President's Perspectives

Last Spring I addressed several at-risk factors for faculty, including income, pension, tenure, governance, quality of professional life, and increasing Board power. The status of faculty has continued to deteriorate in all of these areas, in some quite dramatically. With the passage of Measure 8, a six percent negotiated salary increase in the form of a contribution to PERS was eliminated, resulting in a direct reduction in our take-home pay (unless we win in court). Similarly, we face a reduction in our pension when we retire by the elimination of the sick leave agreement. Relative to comparative institutions at the national level, at all ranks our faculty salaries and total compensation continued to decline (see Academe, March-April, 1994 and 1995).

When we adjust the total compensation to reflect the impact of Measure 8, we are approaching sea level. However, the situation could be worst, and indeed is likely to become so, presenting an even greater threat to our financial health, such as it is. The Legislature is considering a number of bills that would, individually and collectively, severely damage PERS. Unless a miracle occurs, it is highly likely that our national ranking next year will be substantially below what it is this year. It seems unlikely that our actual take-home pay in two years will be any greater than it was two years ago; if inflation is taken into account, in two years, we are likely to be 12% to 18% below where we were two years ago.

What can the Conference do to reverse this trend? We can become more proactive. However, it should be recognized that we have been active, as indicated in the Fall issue of this newsletter and in the letters which I have sent to members of the Legislature. So, what can the Conference do? At the state office level, we can expand on our communication efforts, but this will not suffice. If we, as members of AAUP, are to impact events in Oregon that determine our financial and professional status, we must become proactive in government and public relations at a level rarely attempted in Oregon. It will not happen if we, as faculty, expect the Conference leadership to do all of the work that is needed to be effective. The Conference can become more effective in communicating with legislators and the public. More important, it can assist our chapters in developing government/public relations activities and provide a mechanism for coordinating these activities.

Success in developing an influential faculty voice will depend less on what the Conference does than on what the chapters do. If we are to take any control over our destiny, our chapters must provide the leadership needed within their institutions to develop effective local programs, coordinated perhaps at the state level, to recruit faculty members and motivate them to action in government and public relations. Grass-root action is needed to stem this downward spiral.

Loyde Hales, President Oregon Conference of the AAUP