Perceptions of Pay and Institutional Commitment among Tenure-Track Faculty at UCCS

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Abstract

The current study analyzes perceived and actual pay differences among Tenured and Tenure-Track (T/TR) faculty at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), and explores how perceptions of fairness in faculty compensation relate to their commitment to the university. The study employed a mixed methods approach utilizing public salary data, surveys, and qualitative semi-structured interviews to examine perceptions of pay inequality and institutional commitment at a Research 2 university. Data were collected in spring 2024 and analyzed in fall 2024. Public salary data for all faculty reveal pay disparities by college and rank. These disparities are more pronounced at the assistant professor level than associate and full/distinguished professor levels. Survey data indicate that faculty salaries vary significantly across colleges and, in some instances, within the same college. Faculty members have moderately favorable perceptions of the fairness of their current salaries. Overall, faculty are committed to and are proud to work at UCCS. Our statistical analysis also reveals how race/ethnicity, and differences among colleges influence levels of commitment to UCCS. Our qualitative analysis shows important differences in perceptions within and across colleges. In particular, they show in high-paying, mid-paying, and low-paying colleges how race, gender, sexuality, marriage, university practices, and cost of living inform perceptions of pay inequality and institutional commitment. Our research has important implications regarding pay disparities across the nation and how these disparities impact faculty differently according to race, gender, and sexuality.

Authors

• Edwardo Portillos, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

• Esther Omowumi Lamidi, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

• Lei Zhang, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

• Katy Patterson, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs

• Teresa Miller, University of Colorado Colorado Springs