" Nice raise - now I know why LLC takes more tax dollars from me each year. I wish I had raises like that. "

" To Anon: get over it already. For my position at the college a 5% base salary increase equals about .10 more an hour, about $20 a week. Huge increase, right? "

" To Anon: get over it already. For my position at the college a 5% base salary increase equals about .10 more an hour, about $20 a week. Huge increase, right? "

" All State employees get a raise every year. It's not just LLC. EIU gets one...UofI gets one...you get my point. If you want a raise like that, work for the state! "

" It varies from institution, it's not always 5% and it's not guaranteed each year. EIU's is closer to a standard of living raise, maybe 2%. There were years when there weren't raises,at least for staff members. "

" To "Whatever": (1) I did the math, and, according to your figures, you must make $2/hour, and you must work 200 hours per week. Interesting. I hope you're not in accounting. (2) If you are getting an extra $20/week, don't complain -- that ends up being an extra $1,040 per year. You will have a very hard time finding a 5 increase in the public sector. Acknowlege your good fortune and be grateful for it. "

" Have you ever noticed that the more prof's make the less they teach and the higher our taxes get? "

" So, Miss Doris wants to thank support staff, faculty & administrators for their collective efforts in getting through these difficult times! Is she kidding? What is she talking about? The BOT chose to IGNORE most of us & how we felt all along, & now she wants to thank us. I would just love to the true reason why an interim president wasn't named. First she announced that it would probably be done at this meeting. Then, she back-pedaled a bit & said that perhaps it wouldn't be possible as not all board members would be present. . . and they were all there, BTW. What was discussed with the 2 VP's that were involved in the closed session portion of the meeting? Whatever the reason, I'm guessing that the BOT's decision will not be as easy to cram down our throats as it was to do away with Dr. T. As for the pay raises. . . it's almost funny! Please read between the lines. The paraprofessionals are in multi-year contract with raises determined at the beginning of that contract. Faculty just did the same. So, who are the employees actually getting wage increases? Those who are not covered by contract: administrators & their secretaries; adjunct faculty, part-timers & misc. other employees. Let's take the president's secretary, for example. Her yearly salary is $74,000 making her increase between $3,700-$3500/year. An administrator making $120,000 would be making $5,700 more. A part-timer making $8/day (& that's on the high side at LLC) working 20 hrs/wk would be making an add'l $400/yr more. However, part-timers have only been given a 10 cent raise for the last few years, and I highly doubt that this year will be any different. So, if you're going to complain about the big pay raises, direct it at those who will actually see a difference. Some of these administrators are the same ones who worked so diligently to get rid of Dr. T at the cost of $155,000+. Nice that they reward themselves then tell the rank & file that there just isn't enough money in the budget to do more! Though "Whatevers" numbers don't add up, I'm with them on this one! Big friggin' deal! "

" To Anon: Yes, it is nice to get a 5% raise, and I for one am very appreciative of this annual increase approved by the BOT. But when I worked in private industry, people often got a "merit" raise or promotion at the whim of a boss or received other perks provided by the company. Some companies even gave an annual cost of living increase and merit raises. Often, these amounted to much more than 5%. At LLC, the only raise you get is what the board votes on each year--and it doesn't matter whether you put in 40 or 80 hours a week--you get the same as everyone else at your level. Most people at LLC make a decent living considering the part of the country we are in, and many make an excellent living. Unfortunately, some employees are still way underpaid. But it's all about choices. If you don't think you are paid enough, then seek another job and/or further your education so that you have better opportunities. No, doubt, Lake Land is a great place to work, and the annual increases help ensure that we attract and retain highly qualified employees to serve our communities. Oh, and just so you know, many, many LLC employees donate a portion of their paychecks to the LLC Foundation so that students who have financial need can afford a college education. "

" To "one who knows": I hope that you are not referring to LLC faculty because I believe that our full-time faculty & many adjunct are among the lowest paid in the state. Perhaps your theory is correct in reverse: the less they are paid, the more they teach. Don't get me wrong, there are some out there who should hang it up as they do the bare minimum, but very few. If you want to gripe about faculty positions, take a look at the department chairs. They seem to enjoy some pretty hefty salaries & bonuses. Just a country bumpkins observances! "

" Sorry to post so quickly, but I just read "Appreciatives" comments and couldn't resist the urge to respond. Life is all about "choices" and not all of us have had the opportunity or direction needed to further our education. As stated by "Appreciative", mentions perks in the private sector. I know that many retail stores offer their employees a great discount to where or use their products so that the employees are more enthusiastic & take pride in their product. You would think that LLC would offer some educational perks to ALL their employees & encourage them to use "their product". I would love to take advantage of such a perk, but it's just not there! As for your comment regarding the donation of many, many employees donating a portion of their checks to the LLC Foundation. . . I'm not buying that one! A few very well paid employees might do so, but on a whole, very few could afford to do so! LLC is a great place to work, but not because of the high wages. It's because of the students & the great faculty & support staff! If the job market weren't so pathetic in the area, you bet I would look for a higher paying job! Experience does count for something! "

" Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University are two of the largest employers in this area. I previously worked at EIU and currently work for LLC. I have nothing but good things to say about both institutions. Both pay better than average beginning salaries and have better than average benefits available to both employees and their families including tuition assistance. Having attended Lake Land and had great experience with my instructors, I chose to further my education at EIU in hopes of someday going to work for Lake Land in order to inspire others to achieve the benefits associated with higher education. My children are graduates of Lake Land College and Eiu, are employed in the area and have good jobs with a future, thanks in part to their experience with instructors who inspired them. The majority of people I work with do donate to the Foundation; the college encourages not only donations to the Foundation but to other charitable organizations. I personally have donated a portion of my salary since I began working for Lake Land and with each raise I've increased my donation; it's my way of giving back. My tax dollars also support the college and in essence provide tax dollars not only for my salary increase but the increases of others. I love going to work every day and have for many years and while the pay is good, having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others is priceless. Lake Land College gives back in many ways. The students who attend the college whether it's one class or a degree become more productive in society and in turn contribute to the communities they live and work in. The "reward" isn't always in wages or salaries. It often comes from being able to give back what you've been given. Yes, some of the employees make more than others but that happens no matter what the environment. I personally would not want the responsibilities the administrators have. The further one advances up the rank and file, the more their lives revolve around their work. Given the hours worked, most make less than the hourly employees; that is usually the case with management. Most I know personally put a lot of time in during the "normal" work day as well as into the evening hours and on weekends. So much of the criticism I've read about the college and BOT is untrue; I know because I've worked there for many years. The administrators, faculty and staff and the BOT believe in the mission of the college and in each other. I think it's time to quite throwing stones and pointing fingers and go on. "

" Country Bumpkin - I don't know about all staff and instructors but as adjunct I get tuition credits. I have to use these tuition credits. I can't give them to my children to use. I "thought" all full time employees had a tuition program. I do know for sure that adjuncts have a program. "

" I never said I was unappreciative of my increases. Simply stated that a .10 cent increase is not that much considering. When I worked in the private sector my annual raise was at least .25 cents a year. Not an accounting major either, just based on previous raises. "

" To Whatever: I understand your point of view. I also understand how people might take issue with LLC full-time employees' annual raises. If you are a tax payer in a low-paying job with no chance for a raise, you might resent LLC's generosity toward employees. But I do strongly believe that most people can improve their lot in life through education. And LLC is a great place to start. With financial aid and foundation scholarships, many people who never thought they could attend college find that it is possible. It feels great to be part of an organization that has a positive impact on people every day, despite the recent blemish on our public image. Thank you faculty, staff, and students of Lake Land College for giving me good reasons to go to work each day! "

" I cuurently could not be surprised by anything this board and administration did now. Sometimes it appears as if they simply have lost touch with what the people want, or maybe they don't care. As far as the raise issue is concerned I have mixed emotiions. I am an employee but I will not receive the raise because of the position I hold. The majority of the ones getting the big raises are administrators and members of the good old boy club. "

" Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about my job. I love what I do, and the money is not the reason. LLC is still a great place to work, even in spite of recent events. My stance is more of irritation from others who speculate. If you are going to criticize Lake Land College for their increases, at least educate yourself on the facts. Not everyone receives huge pay incentives. "

" To LLC - all of us are not as fortunate as you to work for the state. By state I mean any governement agency, LLC,EIU, etc. I know because I have tried. I am not a veteran so that puts you behind right from the start. I have tested higher than others for specific jobs but the vets got the jobs, a 2 year stint in the service in the 80's trumps a higher test score and more qualifications every time. Another thing, I know of people that have been finalists for jobs at LLC but the job went to the candidate with "good ole boy" ties. So be lucky you have a LLC job. Your salaries are very good considering shorten work hours during the summer. Some of us in the private sector who's raises haven't kept up with inflation wish we had the same opportunities. "

" I do work for the state - and my annual raises are not that much. "

" I do work for the state - and my annual raises are not that much. Also, do the adjunct faculty members get raises when everyone else does? "

" I found the information regarding "part-time non-instructional employee incentives" from the actual board policy. It's rather funny, if you have a sick sense of humor. The list of 7 incentives (& that's questionable) is prefaced with "individuals employed in these positions will receive no fringe benefits or guarantee of continued employment." Great motivator! We're to be included in: staff development & in-service activities; any employee recognition program; included in the college phone listing by title & office location; waive tuition in the fitness center while working at the college (does that mean employed or just "at work"??); provide a season pass to athletic events; in employee recognition program for years of service; if employed for a full semester, provide one-credit-hour tuition voucher which is nontransferable with 1 calendar year experation from the date of issuance (1 credit hr is approx $60 with most classes being 2-3 credit hours). That's it! Those are my incentives. . . that & my 10 cent raise in July! "

" I too am a part time LLC employee, or well at least I "thought" that is what I was. Guess I was wrong because I don't get any of the things mentioned in the post by LLC part time employee. I guess all the help I give students is for no reason. At least that is how the campus makes it seem. "