Compensation Guidelines

Basic Science Compensation Plan

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Ground Rules

  • All compensation arrangements are at the discretion of the Chair, subject to institutional policy.
  • Annual faculty reviews will assess performance, confirm adherence to 35/65 distribution guidelines, and implement adjustments to any or all salary components as necessary.
  • During start-up period, faculty may be exempt from the 35/65 distribution guidelines, with Dean's approval. Start-up periods should not exceed three years without Dean's approval. Additional funding that may be needed for faculty salary support after end of start-up period should be derived from start-up package.
  • Individual faculty compensation agreements that pre-date implementation of the compensation plan will be considered in developing the individual's compensation under the new policy.
  • An implementation schedule and financial model for each department must be filed in the Dean's office by January 1, 2004.
Compensation Plan
 
Base Salary
Enhanced Productivity Component
Bonus
Definition
  • A standard range set among all Basic Science Departments
  • Temporary add-on to base salary
  • Requires written agreement signed by both Chair and faculty acknowledging that the enhancement is of limited duration
  • Lump-sum payment to recognize teaching excellence, high extramural salary recovery for non-PI, major administrative role
Duration
  • One year, reviewed annually
  • One to three years, renewable
  • One-time; possibility of renewal
Range
  • Must fall within MSSM base salary ranges for rank
  • Blended AAMC benchmark for NE recommended for setting base
  • Target: up to 20% of base salary
  • Base salary + EPC cannot exceed MSSM maximum for rank without prior approval of Dean
  • Research: Time/effort charged on each grant cannot exceed what is stated on project
  • Target: bonus ordinarily will not exceed 10% of base salary. Bonuses above $25,000 will require review and approval by Board of Trustees
Sources of Support
  • Must meet institutional guidelines for distribution, currently "35/65"
  • 35% institutional sources -- for faculty contribution to departmental and institutional activities, e.g. teaching, committee work, as reflected in CARTS budget
  • 65% extramural sources

Research:

  • Extramural funds
  • OR a combination "R" dollars plus extramural funds
  • Institutional support for combined base salary plus EPC should not exceed 35%.

Administrative Add-On:

  • Should be directly linked to administrative duty


  • Extramural funds
  • CARTS money and other institutional funds, as available
  • NOTE: Bonuses derived partially from federal sources must be paid proportionately to salary source distribution.
Criteria
  • Must be a faculty member on academic track in good standing. Precise salary -- within range for rank and considering AAMC benchmarks -- will be influenced by individual experience, expertise and role(s).

Research:

  • Publications: extraordinary success in high impact journals
  • National/international renown: invited meetings/reviews; study section participation; review committee assignments
  • Extramural funding: among top 25% of MSSM basic science department investigators

Administrative Add-On:

  • For faculty with significant, defined, on-going administrative role, Chair may include a specific amount within base salary that will be removed if administrative role ends.


  • Teaching excellence as reflected in external measures, e.g., award
  • Unusually high extramural support, e.g. over 80% salary recovery from grants on which individual is not PI
  • Major administrative role

 

Base Salary Adjustments
 
Salary Bridge Funding
Base Salary Reduction
Definition
  • Limited period of base salary stability for eligible faculty who experience funding loss that prevents attainment of 35/65 distribution
  • Downward adjustment of base salary due to declining productivity
Eligibility
  • Faculty who have been on Academic Track and who have met the guidelines for academic faculty salary distribution for at least five years (excluding start-up period under most circumstances)
  • Faculty who are ineligible for grace period will be subject to salary reductions upon loss of sufficient funding to cover the required 65%.
  • Faculty who are eligible for salary bridge funding period will be subject to base salary reduction when the bridge period expires.
Duration
  • Minimum salary bridge funding period — six months
  • Maximum salary bridge funding period — two years
  • Prior written approval by Dean necessary for longer salary bridge funding period
  • Timing of base salary adjustments is dependent on level of extramural support (see below).
  • If additional extramural funding is obtained and is sufficient to raise support to next level, Chair may consider a base salary increase.
Level of Adjustment
  • During the salary bridge funding period, base salary will be maintained at the level in effect at the time of funding loss
  • Faculty must maintain maximum possible extramural support during salary bridge funding period
  • Faculty will not be eligible to receive enhanced salary or bonus during the salary bridge funding period.
  • Level I: If extramural support at end of salary bridge funding period is between 50 % and 64% of current base salary, base salary will be reduced to 75% of current base salary
  • Level II: If extramural support at end of salary bridge funding period is 50% or below current base salary, base salary will be reduced to 50% in first year, minimum for rank in subsequent year(s).
  • Base salary can never fall below MSSM minimum for rank.