The Academic Staff Assembly met Monday to hear from Chancellor Rebecca Blank about the human resources plan and a fund used to give raises for academic staff.
Last spring, the state Legislature delayed the University of Wisconsin-Madison Human Resources Design Plan that was supposed to take effect in July 2013. The plan would have changed the structure of how UW-Madison employees are compensated.
University officials are continuing to work on the plan that would go into effect in 2015 if approved by the state Legislature. Blank said creating the new HR Design Plan will be tough, but it is essential to compensate the staff working for the university as effectively as possible.
Blank also discussed the Critical Compensation Fund, which gives pay raises to the academic staff. Director of Human Resources Robert Lavigna presented information on the fund and said this year, one percent of the campus budget is allotted for pay raises to academic staff. This percentage is lower than the two percent allotted in the budget last year, Lavigna said.
According to Blank, at least 50 percent of funding must go to academic staff that did not receive pay increases in the 2012-’13 academic year. The goal is for 20 to 30 percent of all academic staff to receive raises. Staff must fill certain criteria to receive one of these raises but they are not merit based.
Blank discussed her goals for the future of the university. She said she wants to find capable faculty and also noted that the university needs to improve relations with government-elected officials.
Blank said she hopes UW-Madison advances in research knowledge to continue its prestigious image. Finally, she hopes UW-Madison continues helping students and faculty bring ideas to the marketplace.
“Our most important resource is our people and I know that the work that you do is critical to our educational enterprise, our research enterprise and our outreach and Wisconsin Idea enterprise,” Blank said.
