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Friday, March 29, 2024

News in Brief: UC payroll increases by 6 percent

The University of California (UC) payroll grew from about $10 billion in 2010 to $10.6 billion in 2011, according to the UC Report on Employee Pay, released August 9.

The report is produced annually to honor UC’s commitment to transparency and accountability to the public and is arranged by employees’ pay, personnel category and fund
sources.

The six percent increase can be seen in the rise in student enrollment by almost one percent in 2010 to 2011 and research expenditures that increased by over five percent. The UC workforce also increased by less than one percent in 2010. UC was also able to pay for a number of 2011 merit increases as well.

“This increase is likely attributable to a combination of factors, including restoration of furlough reductions, increased research activity and market pressures for more competitive compensation, particularly in the areas of health care, instruction and research,” the report stated.

An estimated 36 percent of systemwide compensation funding stemmed from “clinical revenue” and sources affiliated with UC medical and teaching hospitals. Less than 26 percent stemmed from tuition and general funds, and four percent came from Summer Session and University Extension student fees. The final amount came from private contracts and gifts as well as sources from the federal government and state and local government appropriations.

Top-earners on the UC payroll, who earn over $1 million, are mainly athletic coaches and health science specialists.

Due to continuous declining state support, many employee salaries are lagging behind market, according to the report.

“With the exception of contractual obligations to union-represented employees, salary increases were either eliminated or sharply curtailed … In addition, furloughs for UC faculty and staff in 2009-10 translated to salary cuts that ranged from 4 percent to 10 percent,” the report stated.

A larger plan to achieve higher employee pay has been delayed by the Board of Regents due to the state’s financial crisis. This brings about the risk of not being able to retain or attract talented faculty and staff.

— Muna Sadek

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