1. Salary pool for merit-based increases will be 2 percent

The Board of Trustees approved a $4.8 million increase in the salary pool for the 2012-2013 budget, which includes a 2 percent salary pool for merit-based increases, according to Marquette President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. In addition to the money set aside for merit increases, the total salary pool includes the allocation of permanent funding for approved lines now funded temporarily; approval for any new positions; and funds allocated for faculty promotions and other salary adjustments made mid-year.

“Our budgeting has remained conservative, particularly in view of the broader economic challenges that still exist,” Pilarz said. “We have increased and will continue to increase financial aid packages to meet the growing needs of our students and families.” Pilarz noted that more than 90 percent of Marquette undergraduates receive some form of financial aid each year, and the university’s institutional aid totals more than $90 million.

“At the same time,” he added, “we want to recognize the excellent work of our faculty and staff. And, fortunately, we have not experienced the furloughs and layoffs that have become common at other institutions.”

The allocation of funding for salaries does not mean employees will automatically receive raises; in fact, merit-based salary increases vary by individual and position, according to Pilarz. He said deans and vice presidents have discretion in allocating their respective salary pools by unit, based on annual performance reviews and market and equity adjustments.

The salary pool increase does not reflect additional university contributions for fringe benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance and retirement contributions. Chuck Lamb, vice president for finance, noted that the university pays 80 percent of health insurance costs and contributes 8 percent of salary to a TIAA-CREF 403(b) retirement account for qualified employees who voluntarily contribute 5 percent of their gross salary to the account.  

Salary changes for employees who work on a 12-month basis will take effect July 1. Union employees will receive increases effective Sept. 1 in accordance with ratified contracts.

Lamb said salaries and fringe benefits account for nearly two-thirds of the university’s expenditure budget.

Lamb added that the newly reconstituted University Financial Planning and Review Committee played a vital role in the budgeting process for fiscal year 2012. He said the UFPRC, which serves as an advisory committee to the university president, comprises members of the faculty, administration and student body. “The intent of this group is to be as open and inclusive as possible,” Lamb said.

More information on university finances, the budgeting process and the UFPRC is available in the December/January issue of Marquette Matters.

Back to Top

2. 2012-2013 tuition announced

Undergraduate tuition at Marquette University will increase $1,410 next year to $32,810.

In a letter to parents, Marquette President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., said that “affordability, accessibility and debt loads among students and parents remain the university’s primary concerns.” Underscoring this promise, Pilarz wrote, “I am committed to ensuring that Marquette University forever remains true to its mission of being an engine of opportunity for all. To achieve this, we will continue to be fiscally responsible, grow our endowment and raise funds specifically to increase financial aid.”

Room and board rates will increase an average of 3 percent. The Student Activity Fee remains the same; however, the annual fee for student health will increase $12 to $284. Per-credit and annual tuition rates for graduate and professional programs also increased.

The new 2012-2013 rate guide, which includes detailed room and board rates, is posted on Marquette Central.

Back to Top

3. Father Pilarz will deliver first Presidential Address Jan. 24

Marquette University President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., will deliver his first Presidential Address on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 3 p.m. in the AMU Ballroom. Father Pilarz is expected to share what he has learned during his first six months and begin sharing his vision for the future of the university. All faculty and staff are invited to attend. A reception will follow.

Back to Top

4. U.S. HUD secretary to hold town hall discussion at Marquette Jan. 26

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan will host a town hall discussion with Marquette University students Thursday, Jan. 26 at 12:30 p.m. in the AMU Ballroom.

Sponsored by the Marquette University Student Government, the event is part of a series of university visits White House and Obama Administration officials are conducting following President Obama’s State of the Union address tomorrow night.

During the event, HUD Secretary Donovan will give brief remarks about the President’s State of the Union address and recent initiatives forged by President Obama to help students. The town hall, moderated by MUSG President Joey Ciccone, a senior in the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and an international relations major, will conclude with a question and answer period involving the university student body.

Because space is limited, faculty, staff and students need to register through MUSG’s website. On the registration form, there is a space to submit questions for Secretary Donovan to respond to during the event.

Faculty, staff and students will need to show their Marquette ID when they check in.

Staff with questions about the event can contact MUSG at musg.president@marquette.edu or 414-288-7416.

Back to Top

5. W-2 forms for 2011 are now available

Annual W-2 tax forms for employees are now available online via MyJob. Select "MU Employee Self Service," "Personal Actions," "Employee W-2" and "Start."

Printing the W-2 from this webpage is an acceptable copy for attaching to annual tax returns. Use the printer icon below the words "Select Organization/year," not the printer icon on your browsers, to print the form.

Some users may need to adjust their Acrobat settings to access the W-2 forms. Instructions for doing this are on the MyJob log-in page of call the Help Desk at 8-7799 for assistance.

Traditional paper forms will also be mailed to permanent home addresses. The post office asks users to allow up to 10 days to receive the W-2 forms in the mail.

See the Office of the Comptroller for more information.

Back to Top

6. College of Communication faculty offer webinar on social entrepreneurship

Three College of Communication professors will present a webinar sharing best practices for incorporating social innovation and social entrepreneurship in the curriculum on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 am.

The webinar will demonstrate how Marquette’s communication faculty bring social entrepreneurs into the classroom and use social innovation as a tool for engaged learning. Following their presentation will be a discussion to identify core principles of social innovation and change-making specific to the communication discipline.

Presenters include Dr. Kati Tusinski Berg, assistant professor in the Department of Strategic Communication, Dr. Sarah Feldner, associate professor in Corporate Communication and Communication Studies, and Dr. Jeremy Fyke, assistant professor in Corporate Communication and Communication Studies.

The webinar will be broadcast by Ashoka U, which partners with Marquette and 13 other schools as part of Ashoka’s Changemaker Campus program.

For more information and to sign up for the webinar, contact Jeff Snell, special advisor to the president, at 8-4758.

Back to Top

7. Marquette Law School Poll launches Jan. 25

The first results of the Marquette Law School Poll will be the subject of the next On the Issues with Mike Gousha, Wednesday, Jan. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. in Eckstein Hall. Running monthly throughout the year, the Marquette Law School Poll will provide a comprehensive, independent survey of voter attitudes in Wisconsin during this historic election year.

The polling initiative is led by Charles Franklin, visiting professor of law and public policy, and a nationally recognized expert in polling and voter analysis. Mike Gousha and other faculty in the Law School and across campus will also provide context and analysis throughout the year. Interested participants can RSVP online.

Back to Top

8. Grant applications available for Simmons Religious Commitment Fund

The Simmons Religious Commitment Fund has grants available for individuals who wish to initiate a project at Marquette to further the university's mission. The proposed project must be connected with the enhancement of a Marquette mission or value. Grants are generally small, but can be effectively and creatively used by individuals to further Marquette’s mission.

For grant details and to apply, visit the Office of Mission and Ministry. The proposal deadline is Feb. 15, 2012.

Back to Top

9. Interpersonal violence awareness in Native American communities to be discussed

The Center for Peacemaking, Campus Ministry, Multicultural Affairs and the Native American Student Association will cosponsor a “Soup for Substance focusing on “Interpersonal Violence Awareness and Solutions: Perspectives on Healing from the Native American Community,” Wednesday, Feb. 1, from noon to 1 p.m. in AMU 157.

Data from the Department of Justice indicate that Native American women disproportionately experience violence compared to other groups. This event will feature a panel of experts whose passion it is to stem this cycle of violence, provide support for women in need and honor the life giving force of all humanity.

More information on the event and a complete list of panelists can be found online.

Back to Top

10. Monthly sessions to address social media strategy at Marquette

Herbert Lowe, professional in residence in the Diederich College of Communication, is the guest speaker at the next Social Media @MarquetteU session Thursday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m., in the Raynor Library Beaumier Suites. Lowe will speak on how to use social media platforms in the classroom.

Sponsored by GROW with Marquette, Social Media @MarquetteU, will offer monthly training and guidance for faculty, staff and administrators whose duties involve using social media to communicate with prospective students, current students, faculty, staff and alumni. The sessions will take place 11 a.m. to noon the first Thursday of every month.

Those who want to learn more about how Marquette uses social media are welcome to join and discuss social media trends and strategy, ask questions and brainstorm ideas.

Sessions will be moderated by Tim Cigelske, senior communication specialist, whose responsibilities include managing Marquette's social media presence in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration can be completed via email. For more information contact Tim Cigelske at 9-4864.

Back to Top

11. Monthly Masses in Law School Chapel begin Jan. 24

Rev. Thomas Anderson, S.J., assistant director of Campus Ministry and Law School Chaplain, will celebrate Mass in the Law School’s St. Edmund Campion Chapel on the fourth floor of Eckstein Hall during the spring semester.

Masses will be held from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. on:
• Tuesday, Jan. 24
• Tuesday, Feb. 28
• Tuesday, March 27
• Tuesday, April 24

All members of the Marquette community are welcome to attend.

Back to Top

12. Public Safety offering self-defense classes

The Department of Public Safety will be offering self-defense classes throughout the semester.

Classes will be held at 5 p.m. on:
• Monday, Jan. 30
• Tuesday, Feb. 28
• Monday, March 26
• Wednesday, April 11

All classes will be held in AMU 157. Contact Joseph Secanky, public safety officer, at 8-4247 for more information.

Back to Top

13. TIAA-CREF consultants available for free financial counseling

In conjunction with TIAA-CREF, Marquette will offer individual and confidential financial counseling sessions for faculty and staff Wednesday, Jan. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 26 in AMU 362. The 45-minute sessions will answer three common questions asked by participants: am I saving enough for retirement, am I properly allocated and what are the options for taking distributions from my account?

To schedule an appointment, call (312) 345-5605 Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Back to Top

14. Photographer to lecture on collection of European photos

Photographer Tina Barney will present “Survey,” a lecture about her photography, Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. in Eckstein Hall, with a reception following at 7 p.m. in the Haggerty. Barney’s collection The Europeans, an intimate look at wealthy Europeans through the eyes of the American photographer, is currently on display at the Haggerty Museum of Art.

Back to Top