New Mexico State University
PAE-11: Sustainable Compensation

It should be noted that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report dated May 2011, the mean hourly wage in the Las Cruces area is 14% below the national mean. NMSU uses a variety of methods to ensure fair, sustainable compensation for all levels of employees. Annual wage surveys are conducted with other institutes of higher learning and periodic comprehensive wage studies are conducted. A comprehensive market equity survey was conducted in 2009 for faculty and market equity adjustments made. This was continued for staff in 2010 and in January 2011, market adjustments were made to those employees below market level and earning less than $50,000 annually. It implemented a new classification and salary structure that was consistent and equitable, and created competitive rates within the industry. Job descriptions and work assignments are evaluated by supervision as part of the annual performance evaluation process to ensure that employees are properly classified. Position reclassifications requests are then analyzed and applicable reclassification and subsequent increases are enacted at the beginning of each fiscal year. Additionally, as part of its annual budget process, NMSU pursues an annual increase for all of its employees to the State. Increases, however, are subject to funding by the State Legislature. In fiscal year 2013, NMSU Board of Regents approved a separate 2% pay increase that was outside of the Legislative process. Non-exempt employee wages, salary schedules, and increases in pay due to promotion, equity or base pay adjustments, reclassification, and demotion are also established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. These are negotiated and modified as part of the collective bargaining cycle. NMSU temporary part-time college faculty is paid the market rate per credit hour instructed. NMSU contracts greater than $60,000 includes language requiring that the contractor "comply with all federal regulations related to employment and compensation of personnel". This ensures that contractor employees receive sustainable compensation.

Employment breakdown: Full Time Faculty and Staff - 3641. Part Time Faculty and Staff - 4496. On-site Contractor (vendor) personnel - 290.