TRUSTEES APPROVE 4 PERCENT SALARY INCREASE

   COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees on Friday (5/7) approved a 4 percent budget increase to the salary pool for faculty, staff and student employees for fiscal year 2000.

   "A 4 percent increase will allow us to stay competitive with the institutions we measure ourselves against nationally and internationally," said Edward J. Ray, executive vice president and provost.

   Projections show that competitive employers are planning to implement average salary increases of 4 percent for the coming year, Ray said. Ohio State currently is ranked sixth in faculty salaries out of 10 national benchmark institutions. Ohio State's salary is 1.9 percent below the average benchmark salary.

   "The university is investing as much as possible in raise packages," said Larry Lewellen, associate vice president for human resources. "There just aren't any more funds available without cutting from somewhere else. There are a lot of other areas in the budget that could be invested in, but we've made salaries a priority with the resources we have."

   Staff salaries for 1998-99 vary in their market competitiveness. Professional positions are 2 percent below market; clerical and secretarial positions are 3.8 percent below; and paraprofessional and technical positions are at 8.6 percent below. Managers and administrators rank 8.4 percent above market.

   Faculty, staff and student employees receive raises based on performance and equity, so individuals may receive more or less than the average increase. The University Hospitals and employees under collective bargaining contracts have separate salary increase packages.

Contact: Larry Lewellen, Human Resources, (614) 292-4164