To the editor:
In "Professors miffed about stalled talks" (August 20), Columbus State's Vice President for Human Resources claimed that CSCC professors make between $66,500 and $96,300 annually. This demands clarification.
Columbus State has four faculty ranks: instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor. The 3-quarter base salary (used throughout education as the definition of "salary") for full professors as of July 1, 2004 was $58,228; the top 3-quarter salary for full professors is $79,907. A faculty member could earn over $96,000 only if, in addition to working the regular 3-quarter academic year, a full professor with more than 18 years' experience as a full professor taught a full load of classes Summer Quarter or took on substantial overloads (extra classes) during the rest of the regular academic year.
As of June 30, Columbus State employed 67 full professors (25% of all faculty), 49 associate professors, 57 assistant professors, and 89 instructors (34% of all faculty). Instructors, the largest group of faculty, presently earn between $37,956 and--with one exception--$46,708.
A more accurate statement by the administration would reveal that CSCC faculty receive salaries that range from $37,956 to $79,907.
Steve Abbott
President, Columbus State Education Association