Salary study put GVSU in forefront 10 years ago

This winter semester marks the 10th anniversary of a salary and pay equity study at Grand Valley that, at the time, made the university a leader in creating a fair and accountable workplace.

Linda Yuhas, director of compensation and employment services, was heavily involved in a salary review that resulted from the study. She said the procedures established 10 years ago continue to be used today, although few faculty and staff members know the work that happens behind-the-scenes to ensure fair paychecks.

In 1999, a Women's Commission campus climate study revealed several issues including some concern about pay equity. President Arend D. Lubbers requested a salary study, and June O'Neill was hired to conduct it. A national expert in this area, O'Neill had been the director of the Congressional Budget Office, and was working as an economics professor in New York.

Yuhas said O'Neill's 2000 study found no patterns of gender bias in faculty salaries, however GVSU made some adjustments to salaries of faculty members that were found to be below market. She was less conclusive about Administrative/Professional positions. "The study found we had some unique A/P positions for which there was no market data to complete the analysis," Yuhas said.

Grand Valley then hired another consultant, Jan Olson, from Towers Perrin in Chicago. Olson concurred with O'Neill's faculty study and confirmed there were no patterns of gender bias in A/P salaries. Towers Perrin provided market data to complete the A/P study; the findings showed some positions needed salary adjustments to bring them in line with the market. Yuhas worked closely with Olson to develop procedures that offered long-term solutions.

"There are a lot of processes going into annual salary reviews. Everything is now documented to guard against compression and pay inequities," Yuhas said. "If anyone falls behind in their market, their name is automatically highlighted on the computer to bring it to attention."  Yuhas then meets with each executive officer to review salaries within their division.

Patricia Oldt, professor of education and director of special projects for Charter Schools, served as vice president for Planning and Equity 10 years ago and was also closely involved in the salary study and its results. Oldt said training was held for deans and department leaders on the new review processes.

"Our goal is to have a transparent, fair and equitable process," Oldt said. "We were seeking resolution. Not a quick fix that just added money to the salaries of a few people."

Yuhas and Olson gave a presentation at a College and University Professional Association conference shortly after the system was implemented. "The room was packed," Yuhas said. "No one could believe that we had all these checks and balances. It was a lot of work at the time, but I really see some wonderful benefits that have come from it."