Proposal includes measures to reward and retain staff, president tells forum

The hour-long dialogue, sponsored by the Staff Advisory Committee (SAC), touched on campus security, parking problems and community relations, but the emphasis was focused squarely on the University’s future.

by Mary Jo Curtis

University staff will play a crucial role in bringing Brown’s Proposal for Academic Enrichment to a successful conclusion, President Simmons told a packed audience in Alumnae Hall Feb. 26.

"The aspirations of this University simply cannot be met without all of your best effort," said Simmons, challenging the standing-room-only crowd to "begin by believing it’s possible."

The hour-long dialogue, sponsored by the Staff Advisory Committee (SAC), touched on campus security, parking problems and community relations, but the emphasis was focused squarely on the University’s future. In introducing Simmons, SAC chair Ann D’Abrosca told the audience, "There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the Brown community."

Simmons said that since arriving at Brown last summer, she’d been advised that the University was in need of direction, and that some "had concluded Brown would have to live with less." Over the past 15 years, other universities have made significant investments and advancements, she noted.

"Brown has done a lot, but relative to what others are doing, it simply is not enough," Simmons said. On Feb. 23, the Corporation endorsed her academic investment proposal and encouraged her "to jumpstart this quest" to provide students with an education that will be on par with that of the best universities.

"We left the [Corporation] meeting Saturday invigorated… by the opportunity to take Brown to a new level," she said.

Simmons outlined for the staff the major areas of academic investment endorsed by the Corporation — namely the hiring of new faculty, the adoption of a need-blind undergraduate admission policy, better graduate student support and the enhancement of library and computing services. Although the academic mission is the University’s priority, Simmons stressed that staff play an important role in that mission.

"No university can truly be great without an outstanding staff," she said.

To that end, the University will also take measures to reward and retain its quality staff. Simmons said an additional $2 million has been allocated over the next three years to ensure that Brown's wages and benefits are competitive. Staff salary pools for next fiscal year will total 5 percent, a full percentage point higher than in recent years, and the minimum hourly wage at Brown will be increased from $9 to $10. A $200,000 annual bonus plan for non-union staff will "really encourage you in your efforts," and the average employee contribution to the cost of health care coverage will drop from 24 percent to 19 percent

In addition, as of July 1 eligible faculty and staff will receive equal benefits of up to $10,000 per eligible dependent in Brown's tuition aid program. Staff has previously received $4,000 annually per dependent in that program.

"I think it’s scandalous that we provided one benefit to staff and another to faculty. Our benefits need to be comparable," she said, drawing loud applause. "Brown as a workplace has the potential to be a leader among universities."

Audience members reacted positively to the president’s outreach effort.

"I was very encouraged to hear that this initial plan is not it. This is a great jumpstart, but it doesn’t address everything yet," said Ruth Kohorn Rosenberg, special assistant to the dean in Bio-Med and Medical Affairs. "I now understand her message and focus better — that is, we’re all here to support the University’s [educational] mission."

"She made it clear that some of the details we’ve heard are not the whole story," said Ann Paton, executive dean for advancement in Bio-Med. She added, "I was happy and encouraged to hear that our role is important and valued to her."