Faculty works to have voice heard

Members of Utah State University’s Faculty Senate approved a motion Monday to begin exploring different options to work with the Legislature in receiving more compensation for higher education.

Faculty Senate President Derek Mason introduced the idea to the faculty senate as a result of this year’s legislative session.

“This is to show that a faculty voice is important,” Mason said.

President Stan Albrecht said he was very satisfied with most outcomes of this year’s session, but he was disappointed that more money wasn’t allotted for compensation and retention among institutions of higher education.

“The glass is more than half full, there were pieces that were essential is this session that were addressed,” Albrecht said. “We just feel that we absolutely have to have some flexible retention dollars.”

Provost Ray Coward cautioned the senate that any resolution to the Legislature needs to be written with the consideration that USU is still connected to other institutions throughout Utah.

“We have not been able to break us out of the pack,” he said. “We’re joined at the hip with other institutions.”

Many legislators have a difficult time giving compensation to one university because they feel if they give to one institution, they have to give money to the rest, Coward said.

Senate member Steve Aust said the faculty should say something to the Legislature because he feels USU’s voice is not being heard.

In particular, the Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative, that will expand the economic possibilities throughout the state, was written mostly by businesses in Utah and not educators.

In other business, faculty senate approved placing a proposal on the agenda as an action item for April’s meeting that would offer employee benefits to same-sex couples.

-mmackay@cc.usu.edu