Full-time faculty salaries rose 2.1 percent during the 2003-2004 academic year at select colleges and universities nationwide -- the lowest percentage in three decades, according to the American Association of University Professors' annual survey released Friday.
The AAUP surveyed 1,446 colleges and universities, including 776 public schools, 321 private independent schools and 349 private church-related schools.
The University is ranked between the 80th and 94.9th percentile for professors, according to the data. Also, the data calculated the average University professor's salary at $112,900.
Ruth Flower, AAUP director of public policy and communications, said she attributed the low salary increase to the federal and state government budget impasses across the country.
"Just about every state has great budget difficulty," Flower said. States "are looking to cut back, and they cut faculty salaries because they are there [to cut]."
Flower said public institutions have suffered more than private schools because private schools do not rely on public funds.
"Public colleges are finding it increasingly difficult to find sources of funding," Flower said.
While public institutions must endure state budget setbacks, Flower said private schools also have experienced fiscal hardships because of a lack of funding resources.
"Private schools lost money in the stock market and have not recovered," Flower said.
Colette Sheehy, University vice president for management and budget, said the University is in the 27th percentile for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia-defined peer group of 24 comparable public and private schools.
"The SCHEV tends to move faster than us," Sheehy said.
Since the University did not grant as high of an increase as other schools in the peer group, she said it is difficult to recruit and retain faculty members when other schools can offer higher salaries. The Board of Visitors has a plan in place to reach the 60th percentile over the next four years to boost salaries, Sheehy added.
While the AAUP survey highlighted a 2.1 percent increase, Sheehy said the University gave a 2.25 percent increase for all faculty members in addition to a 1.75 percent supplement for target areas this past academic year.
The larger implications of the survey suggest a greater problem with faculty hiring and retention, Flower said.
"In some fields colleges have already had difficulty in hiring and retention, such as in math, science and law," Flower said. "For public schools, it might make it hard for them to attract top candidates."
Flower said there is public support for higher education, yet public funds are not adequately maintaining colleges and universities.
"I do not think that there is an understanding that their taxes are not going in that direction," Flower said. "Support for higher education has not translated into strong support in the budget"
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