Pay raises proposed for educators

Saturday, Sept. 6, 1997 | 1:01 a.m.

The proposed raises for educators with the University and Community College System of Nevada for this year were based on evaluations and can be justified, Jarvis said Friday. Final approval is expected at the October regents' meeting.

UNLV President Carol Harter's salary would increase to $178,798 under the proposal, while Richard Moore, president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, would see the same percentage increase to $138,410.

The highest paid is Robert Daugherty, dean of the School of Medicine, who now earns $219,336 a year. According to a survey of salaries at other university systems, the position pays from a low of $159,651 to a high of $266,085.

Regent Maddy Graves questioned why the salaries are proposed at one meeting and approved six to eight weeks later. He said the delay only focuses more attention on the sensitive subject.

"I don't understand why we leave them hanging out there for six or eight weeks," Graves said. The chancellor does a thorough and fair review and regents do not need all that time for study, he said.

Board Chairwoman Jill Derby agreed to take a look at the policy, but said it was implemented initially because regents received the information the same day they were expected to vote, giving them little study time.

Regent Shelley Berkley defended the delay, saying taxpayer money was involved and the public deserved to have a chance to scrutinize the raises.

"If we can't stand the press inquiring about the higher salaries, then maybe we shouldn't be giving them," she said.

Jarvis said a compromise might be to release the pay proposals a couple of weeks prior to a regents meeting with approval set for that meeting.

The chancellor, whose salary was not on the agenda as expected because of a delay in giving public notice of the issue, said his recommendations include a 3 percent cost of living increase approved by the Legislature and merit if warranted. A 2.5 percent merit increase was given to Harter, Moore and UNR President Joe Crowley. A 5 percent merit increase was given to some of the other community college presidents.

The salaries are based on a comparison to salaries paid at other higher education systems.

Information about salary increases awarded to administrators at the seven-campus system was also provided to the board. Because board approval was not required, the raises already have been implemented.

Jarvis' salary should come up for review at the next regents meeting in October. He earns $181,000 a year.