University system asks lawmakers to restore professor pay raises

University officials asked a combined hearing of the Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees on Tuesday to restore the merit pool funding that provides professors and other professionals with raises.

The $40.92 million recommended by the Board of Regents to provide professors with merit increases was cut to just $6.18 million by the governor’s office. That is enough to cover step increases for the small number of state classified staff in the university system.

Regents Vice Chairman Rick Trachok said with classified staff and state workers all getting step increases in the governor’s proposed budget, it’s a matter of fairness professors, who also haven’t had raises through the recession, get some help.

“I would ask that you treat all state employees the same,” he said.

Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, said she remembers two years ago, lawmakers let the system keep its increases in tuition and student fee revenue in part to pay for the merit pay pool.

Chancellor Dan Klaich agreed there was general agreement in 2013 “there would be a decreased reliance on state dollars going forward.” But he said those added funds were being used to provide things students say they need more help with. He added students have stepped up and agreed to increases in the cost of each classroom credit hour, including a $5 increase this biennium.

“In every phase, the increase in the weighted student credit hour, the purpose of these funds is to increase performance and student success.” He said.

He said the merit pool that provides professors up to 2.5 percent raises each year is an important tool in recruiting and retaining good faculty.

The committee took no action on the request with subcommittee chairman Pat Hickey, R-Reno, pointing out the problem is finding the money to pay for the add-back.