Faculty raises long past due

House Editorial

Better late than never.

JMU faculty members finally are receiving the recognition they deserve. In July, faculty received "across-the-board" pay raises. Although just a mere 2 percent for assistant and associate professors and meager 3 percent for full professors, the raises are a tiny step toward helping Virginia’s higher education salaries compete with other top-notch schools.

In December, some faculty also will receive a 3 percent merit-based pay increase. Faculty shouldn’t be the only ones celebrating. Students receive a perk, too — more competitive salaries means better teachers, which translates to a better education.

But maybe it’s too early to celebrate just yet. Virginia still is significantly behind the national average of full professor salaries — a whopping $30,000 behind. JMU did its part this year with these increases, but to stay on top of the business, upping the paycheck needs to become tradition. Every year, faculty salaries need to keep up with, or even exceed, inflation.

The money will come from two areas — tuition and the state. This means that when the next mid-year tuition hike comes about, students and their parents should keep in mind that their money is going toward a better education. At least let’s hope so. Likewise, tax increases for the state’s general fund, such as the recent hikes in cigarette and sales tax, also will help Virginia’s colleges stay afloat.

As wonderful as Harrisonburg is, many professors may be quick to leave if Georgia Tech University, which averages $116,700, offers a classroom position. The average salary at JMU, on the other hand, is $92,400 for full-time professors. JMU needs to stay in the running and on top of the competitive edge.

It cannot wait until professors are ready to retire for the next pay raise to come. No matter what it takes, universities are about education, and that is what student and state money should go toward — funding our educators.