A number of our colleagues believe it is entirely inappropriate for the University to begin delaying paychecks for a ten day period in order to adjust to the uniform payroll, thus in effect unilaterally executing a "loan" from affected faculty and only repaying that "loan" at the point of retirement, termination, or resignation.

FCC understands that the level of faculty morale is not high, and that making this payroll change at this time seems like one more insensitive slap at the faculty.

Unfortunately, the University has a reputation for never making change. In the view of some in society, to not take the logical and economical step of adopting a uniform payroll system will likely be seen as one more indicator of the University's resistance to change.

FCC supports for the change to a uniform payroll system change, but insists that the administration find ways to provide, to those who are adversely affected by the change, with a cash flow equal to that of the current system at no cost to the individual. FCC also asks that the costs and benefits of any such change, including the costs of administering any program to assist individuals adversely affected by the change, be considered in making the decision to proceed.

On a related matter, FCC also believes it would be helpful, at the time of the change to the biweekly payroll, to offer faculty and staff who have appointment terms of less than the full calendar year the option to have their nine-month salary paid over all twelve months. FCC has been told that the payroll system could accommodate this service and is puzzled about why it cannot be made available to the faculty and staff. Making such a change would mitigate some of the inconvenience that the change to the uniform payroll system would entail.