Higher Education News

World & Nation
A group of about 40 higher education leaders has proposed using the Sullivan Principles to govern the way they treat their employees and fulfill their missions.

The principles call for promoting universal human rights and equal opportunity for people regardless of their color, race, gender, age, ethnicity, or religious beliefs. The principles also support employees' voluntary freedom of association—including the right to form a union—and encourage employers to provide a healthy workplace and compensate workers at a level that allows them to meet their basic needs, acquire new skills, and raise their socioeconomic standing.

The original Sullivan Principles were created in 1977 specifically to end legalized apartheid in South Africa.

The U.S. Congressional Black Caucus has taken Fidel Castro up on his offer to provide six years of free medical education and training in Cuba to low-income minority students from the United States.

The Cuban leader extended the invitation after a meeting last year with members of the caucus. He said that if the lawmakers could recruit the students, he'd provide their education for free.

Caucus members decided last month to move ahead with the plan. "This appears to be an excellent opportunity to improve health care in our Congressional districts," said Rep. Charles B. Rangel, (D-New York), noting that members of minority groups are underrepresented in American medical schools and in the medical profession.

The Bard College Clemente Course in the Humanities program brings college courses to dropouts, former inmates, homeless people, and new immigrants. The course, offered in 12 cities, is tuition-free and provides textbooks, transit fare, and child care to students.

Those who complete the course work earn six college credits. So far, of the 450 who took the Clemente course in its first five years, 252 completed the full course and 212 earned college credit. Nine of those have attended Bard College on full scholarships.

Faculty & Staff
The median salary of college and university administrators rose 4.8 percent in 2000-01, according to the annual survey by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources.

This marks the seventh straight year that administrators' median salary has beaten inflation, which was 3.4 percent last year.

The survey measured median salaries for 167 positions at the 1,466 institutions that responded.

Median increases were: 5.9 percent at specialized institutions, 5.2 percent at doctoral universities, 5.0 percent at comprehensive universities, 4.2 percent at two-year institutions, and 4.1 percent at baccalaureate institutions.

Median salary increases varied largely by job. The largest increases came in administrative positions, at 5.6 percent; executive,4.9 percent; and academic positions, 4.7 percent. Increases for other positions ranged from 4.0 to 4.4 percent.

Professional News
A draft document from the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges calls on trustees to defend academic freedom and avoid being beholden to those who appoint them.

The Association found that many public—and private—boards are under pressure from interest groups outside academe and have trouble balancing the competing agendas, including requests from politicians, ideological associations, and alumni. The draft document calls for those who appoint trustees to "recommit to the citizen board" by selecting independent-minded individuals.

Board members should expect to confront controversial issues like admissions standards and be willing to "make unpopular decisions in the best interest of their institution or society," the draft says, noting that boards that too often give in to outside groups risk losing their credibility

Find out more from the association at www.agb.org/about13.cfm.
.

Average Faculty Salaries Compared in Constant 1999-2000 Dollars
Source: 2001 NEA Higher Education Almanac