While salary differences between male and female professors continue at colleges across the United States, but the differences between genders are not as great at Fairfield as at other schools.
The American Association of University Professors recently reported that full-time female professors from all ranks are only making 80 percent of male professors’ salary.
According to Fairfield records, there are currently 226 full-time professors, of which 53 percent (119) are male and 47 percent (107) are female. Male professors with tenure average $93,500 and female tenured professors receive $89,900.
So a female Fairfield, full-time, senior professor makes about 96 percent of what a male, full-time, senior professor makes.
Dr. Orin Grossman, academic vice-president, explained that there are two reasons why there is an imbalance. First ,there is a higher demand for professors in the Dolan School of Business; therefore, these professors’ salaries are higher.
Also, the longer a professor works at a university, the greater his or her salary. Some male professors have worked at the university longer than their female counterparts; as a result, they have higher salaries.
“Fairfield is committed to gender equity and does not discriminate on the basis of gender,” said Grossman.
There is also a difference when professors are promoted. Female associate professors will receive, on average, a 26 percent ($18,800) raise when they are promoted with tenure. Male professors receive, on average, a 23 percent ($17,400) raise to a tenure track.
“Traditionally female faculty members are underpaid. The trend of female professors receiving a higher raise than male professors is part of a correction,” said Dr. Irene Mulvey, professor of mathematics and secretary to the general faculty.
“Eventually they are both promoted to the same rank. The only reason why male professors are currently receiving higher salary is due to the longer years of service,” said Mulvey.
Fairfield University inequities do follow the national trend in the disproportion between male and female salaries.
An increase through the decades
The total average salary of both sexes in 1979 was $12,532. The total average salary of the genders in 2004 was $33,176. As a result, females are only earning 62 percent of males’ salary in 1979, as opposed to 2004 where females are making 80.4 percent of males’ income.
“I think that eventually females’ salaries will be equivalent to males’, but unfortunately I do not think we will see it in the near future” said Jennifer Siraco ’06.
Race does matter
The Department of Labor confirmed that salary gap in 2004 for white females is 80 percent of white male’s salary. Black or African American females are making 88.8 percent of a black male’s salary. Asian females are earning 76 percent of what an Asian male makes. Hispanic females are making 87 percent of Hispanic men’s salaries.
Data also showed that Hispanic and black males are only making 68 percent of what Asian or white males earn. Hispanic and black females are paid 77 percent of Asian and White females’ salary.
“The ratio of Black females to Black males in University is significantly higher,” said Cynthia Swift, coordinator of the Academic Advantage Program. “Black men have a higher tendency for drop out, poverty or their learning style is not conducive.”
Inequity fluctuates in professions
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) data showed that femalesphysicians are making 58 percent of what males’ physicians earn; female lawyers are earning 77 percent of what male lawyers are making; and females professors are making 80 percent of what male professors are earning.
Today, women can be found working in any job they desire. Even though there is no longer discrimination against women in any career area, there is still discrimination in the pay gap.
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