SPH Committee to Review Faculty Salary Equity
John Finnegan, Jr.
Several University of Minnesota studies have been conducted over the past months to determine whether salary inequities exist between the University’s male and female faculty members. While the studies’ methodologies have varied, their conclusions remain remarkably similar — a gender salary gap appears to exist and tends to increase with rank. Moreover, the inequities do not appear to be distributed evenly across the University’s schools and colleges.
Dr. Murray Clayton from the University of Wisconsin-Madison was retained by the University to conduct the most recent study. His initial study and subsequent recommendations can be viewed electronically on the SPH website.
Because equity is a key principle guiding us within the School of Public Health, we must act now to evaluate the matter. As a first step, I have asked each division head to appoint two faculty members to represent their division on a school-wide committee that will convene this spring. This committee will review SPH compensation and recommend adjustments where warranted.
While the law mandates equal pay, our core values drive the impetus for action. I extend my thanks to those faculty members who will be devoting their time and energy to this extremely important undertaking.
—John R. Finnegan, Jr., PhD
Dean and Professor