This message concerning recent salary increases granted to top administrators was distributed recently by the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, the union representing faculty across the UH system.

Presented here just FYI.

At a time when UHPA has reopened the current faculty contract to negotiate salary adjustments for 2020 and 2021, UH President David Lassner has doled out significant salary increases—as high as 14%—to top UH administrative officials for their “exceptional performance.”

A Honolulu Civil Beat article posted today reveals the ire of legislators who are demanding justification for the salary increases for UH administration. Senator Donna Mercado Kim has raised an important question: Where is the funding for these increases coming from if tuition revenue is down for the UH system, particularly community colleges?

UH Pay Increases For Top Executives Drawing Scrutiny

Instead of giving salary increases to administration, UH President Lassner should be investing in faculty to enhance student learning and address the downward trend in enrollment. Instead of rewarding themselves with pay increases, public funds should be used to retain and recruit quality faculty to ensure the programs are at the caliber that meets the needs of students and that support the broader workforce needs of the community.

We need stronger advocacy from President Lassner with the Governor and Board of Regents to provide salaries that ensure the UH can offer quality instruction. In light of the current situation, negotiating over a mere 1.2% salary increase for faculty sends a message that the role of faculty is not important.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and concerns with UH President David Lassner about his plans to reward his administration while he fails to recognize it is the faculty that bring excellence to the University.