Faculty union member says many instructors earn less than $65,000 and urges board and president to intervene

Amanda Grenard, a communication instructor and bargaining representative for the faculty union, addressed the board during public comment on Jan. 17 and urged trustees and President Jayathi Murthy to address faculty compensation amid stalled contract negotiations with administration.

Grenard said the current administration bargaining team lacks higher‑education financial expertise and that bargaining sessions have at times produced no proposals from the administration. Using March 2024 payroll data, she told trustees that roughly 780 full‑time faculty earn below $65,000 and have a mean salary of about $52,000, while about 1,200 full‑time faculty earn above $65,000 with a mean salary of about $103,000.

“I am one of those people,” Grenard said, noting she has worked at OSU for 14 years and still earns under $55,000 after a promotion and a 10 percent raise. She told trustees that many faculty cannot afford to live locally and called on the president and board to press for improved compensation to retain talent and support the university’s mission.

Why this matters: Faculty pay affects recruitment, retention and local economic health. Grenard said salary compression and low wages for a substantial portion of faculty risk harming instructional quality and the university’s ability to meet its strategic goals.

What the board heard: President Murthy and trustees did not take formal action in response to public comment but the remarks were entered into the public record. Faculty‑side bargaining and administrative bargaining positions were described as at an impasse by the speaker during the meeting.

Ending: Union representatives said they will continue to pursue negotiations and urged trustees to use their oversight role to ensure faculty compensation aligns with the university’s goals and cost of living.