The figures come from the American Association of University Professors, in its annual report on the status of the profession, released last week. The average salary increase awarded to faculty members of all ranks and at all types of institutions was 3.6 per cent in 1998-99, more than twice the inflation rate of 1.6 per cent in 1998. Faculty members at doctoral institutions received the highest raises, averaging 4.2 per cent.
Most professors work for the same institution from one year to the next.
This year, continuing faculty members won an average raise of 4.8 per cent. Both the overall average and the raise for continuing faculty members are the highest since 1990-91. In her report, Ms. Bell said she had found that faculty members earn about 30 per cent less than the average, highly educated professional in law or engineering, for example. The salary disparities within academe are also troubling, and are growing, Ms. Bell said. Since 1970, average salaries, adjusted for inflation, have risen nearly 24 per cent at private, non-sectarian institutions, she found.