'' "'- 0 " V 1 CO (J mcriday, march 4, 1974 lincoln, nebraska vol. 97, no. 28 i i V if u u v. i.. Report lists professors' pay at UNL among lowest in nation By Wes Aihers UNL professors are among the lowest paid in the nation, despite a state per capita income in the upper 50 nationaily, according to American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and Bureau of Business Research statistics. A fact sheet compiled for Faculty Senate President Wallace Peterson ranks UNL professorial salaries for 1972-73 among the lowest 20 of all Ph.D. granting universities. The data was based on the June 1973 A4( V Bulletin, a publication of the AAUP. That same year Nebraska's per capita per person income ranked 22nd nationally, according to statistics compiled by UNL's Bureau of Business Research in its January 1974 issue of "Business in Nebraska." According to AAUP statistics, total compensation (salary plus fringe benefits) for UNL full professors in 1972-73 was $19,800. The basic salary (exclusive of benefits) was $18,100. This put UNL fifth in the Big 8 for total compensation in 1972-73. Iowa State University ranked first ($22,500) while Kansas State University was eighth ($18,700). Estimates for 1973-74 put UNL total compensation at $20,460. Estimated national average is $25,500. Regont Edward Schwartzkopf of Lincoln said UNL is "not paying the salary we should be paying. "We don't get the support this institution needs," he said. "I'd like to see the people of this state really come to realize the vafue of this institution to Nebraska." Peterson said the stats was "getting a much better university than it is paying for." He said professors stay, not because the salary Is good, but because "the atmosphere has been good, conducive to scholarship. "Over the years we haven't fared well (in salaries) and I'm not sure why," Peterson said. "But it's not because the state is poor." Per capita income for Nebraska in 1972 was $4,355 or 97 of the national average, according to the "Business in Nebraska" article prepared by E, S. Wallace. Calling per capita income "one of the best measures of economic welfare," Wallace wrote that Nebraska's per capita growth from 1959 to 1972 "exceeded that of both the nation arid the Plains Region." Per capita incomes increased 100.6 in Nebraska from 1959-71. The national change during the period was 92.6. Latest Bureau of Business Research data puts the 1973 Nebraska per capita income at $4,790. During 1963-1973, per capita income in Nebraska increased 51 from $3,175 to $4,790. in the same period UNL professors' salaries and fringe benefit! increased 24.2 (from $16,473 to $20,450). The national average compensation for professors increased 39.4 during this time. Prof. D. C. Haack, Faculty Liaison Committee chairman, said faculty incomes "have been going down in buying power, while the position of Nebraska in the nation is going up." "For years and years we've been told how poor Nebraska is, and we almost got to . believing it," he said. "But Nebraska can afford to support education better than many other states can." ' Schwartzkopf also said Nebraska doesn't pay its professors according to its ability. "Our ability to pay is greater in relation to many of our neighbors," he said. "A lot of ;6ttier schools ar,reaH having ilnkUiW problems now so tHt wualdr be a good tfrrrw for us to increase our position." Consumer price data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor shows consumer prices have increased 40.7 during the 1968-1974 period. UNL compensation increased 24.2 during this time. "All the people here are asking Is that salaries be allowed to keep pace with what's happening economically," Peterson said. j A A tovl J i r ...Kb m Bernard Wirth Bill affects veterans' benefits The 1,636 students now attending UNL under" the Gl Bill, will receive a 13.6 increase in educational assistance if a bill unanimously passed last week by the House of Representatives becomes law. The bill must go to the Senate and a joint committee before it Is submitted to the President for his signature. "The question is not if the bill will be passed, but If it reaches the President to be signed by June 1, 1974," said John HanJon, aide to Rep. Charles Thcsne (R Neb.). That is the dale educational assistance for servicemen discharged after June 31, 1955, and before June 1, 1960 is tu be cut off untiar ifssj current plan. The new bill proposes an increase from 8 to 10 years In the time a veteran could receive educational assistance. Veterans who would be without educational assistance in June would have until June 1, 1376, to complete their educations. Study: police hostile to community units By Mary Shackeltort Policemen tend to be hostile towards police-community relations (PGR) units within police departments, according to a study done by Charles Reasons, UNL assistant professor of sociology, and UNL junior Bernard Wirth. The study was conducted by sending questionnaires to 106 PCR units listed in the 1972 National Association of Police Community Relations Officers membership roster. The questionnaires were sent in spring 1973 and 50 of the 57 returns were usable, Wirth said. Tha stfen unusable replies came from forces where no PCR unit was in opsrjtion. ..., t.iwif ui (hmhuu euuiisnea aner civil aisorders in the '60s, attempt to bo "relevent to community members and at the same time get along with the rest of the police force," Wirth said. The units are aimed at establishing communication between the police department and minorities and youth, the two groups most antagonistic toward the police. Most of the respondents to Wirth's and Reason's study agreed that, as city size increases, the majority of non-PCR force members viewed PCR work as social work. While 60 of the respondents disagreed that PCR work lacks "manly qualities," a substantial portion were undecided (18) or agreed (22). Results indicated that repport between vouth or minority groups end tha police improved when police dressed less formally. Wjrth, who plans to earn a lew school degree in criminology id criminal favv, worked on the study second semester 1973 in en independent stud' course in sociology. Results of the study will be published in the .Journal of Social Issu-es in a few months, he said. Wirth and Reasons aiso will present the study at the Pacific Sociological Meeting in San Jose this month. E- r r