HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University President Brad Smith told members of the MU’s Board of Governors Wednesday there are changes coming to the university following a recently completed pay equity study.
Smith said pay equity was an issue brought up several times during a 100-day listening tour he did earlier this year after becoming president.
Two questions emerged, according to Smith.
“Are we paying at rates that are competitive in the market? And inside the university do we have any disparity between race and gender?”
Smith told the BOG said an outside firm was hired to conduct an analysis.
“We’ve identified some areas where we have to take action and those actions will be taken in the month of November and we’ll repeat the study every 24 months,” Smith said.
Smith touched on the pay equity study during his report given to the BOG Wednesday. He also addressed ongoing work on Marshall’s finances and recruitment including the “Marshall For All and Forever” plan that’s focused on improving improvement after 12 years of decline.
“‘Marshall for All’ builds on the work that is already underway when we start to recruit more than just high school students but we look at 10 different groups of students from high school to working adults to military veterans to international students,” Smith said.
Smith said the other part of the plan makes education more accessible and more flexible.
“Which means in-demand curriculum with on-demand access and areas where we will be distinctive,” Smith said.
A related plan that Smith has discussed in recent months is the goal of raising $300 million to offset any college debt incurred by Marshall students. He said the program will begin next fall with the first 100 students.
“We’re going to lean into this and we’re excited about it,” Smith said.
BOG Chairman Patrick Farrell said he was encouraged by all the work being done under the Smith administration.
“We have the team that’s being assembled. We’ve got the priorities in front of us and we know the work that has to be done,” Farrell said.
Other BOG business
–following an executive session, accepted the naming opportunities for the athletics department, the Lewis College of Business, the College of Health Professions and the College of Education and Professional Development
–approved amendments to the classified/non-classified employee salary policy
–approved the $3.4 million phase 2 of the Marshall baseball stadium project
–approved joining the Missouri Valley Conference for women’s swimming and diving
–approved bringing back a men’s indoor track and field team that will compete in the Sun Belt Conference. The program went away in 2003.