Status Report to the Regent Budget Committee

July 7, 2004

A working group comprised of Susan Wallwork and Bill Muse from The University of Montana-Missoula, Jim Rimpau from Montana State University-Bozeman, and Sue Hill and Rod Sundsted from the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education have had several meetings and have resolved most issues concerning the collection of data and format of the compensation study. We have purchased and received access to the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA) salary survey data that is needed to compare salaries paid in the Montana University System to salaries paid by comparable employers. We will compare Montana University System faculty and administrative employees salaries to salaries paid at public universities with the same Carnegie rating as Montana's universities. Classified employees salaries will be compared to salaries both in Montana and nation-wide. Also included in the final report will be an analysis of how the health insurance, retirement and paid leave time (sick leave, vacation, and holidays) benefits granted to university system employees compare to other employers. Statistics to help compare the cost-of-living and average wages earned in Montana to national averages will also be included in the report.

The working group expects to have the preliminary survey data collected and formatted by July 23rd. That would allow time to summarize the findings, finalize the report and present it to the Budget Committee of the Board of Regents at their September meeting.