With Independent Colleges Facing Hardship, Their Association Economizes

Chronicle of Higher Education

February 5, 2009

Washington — In yet another sign of the tough times facing colleges, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities has frozen staff salaries and reduced its dues increase for 2009-10.

The changes, approved by members at Naicu’s annual meeting yesterday, hold the average dues increase to 1.9 percent, two percentage points lower than the average annual increase. Dues range from $600 to $11,500, depending, in part, on the size of the institution.

In a letter to private-college presidents last month, David L. Warren, the association’s president, said the cuts would be made “in light of the continuing and increasingly negative economic impact on Naicu members.”

Tony Pals, a spokesman for the group, said it had reached the decision on the basis of a survey it conducted in December, and not by any decline in the rolls. Membership, he said, was at a record level, and meeting attendance was up over previous years.

“We are quite aware of the tough choices our members are having to make, and are doing what we can to assist them in difficult financial times,” Mr. Pals wrote in an e-mail message to The Chronicle.

Other higher-education associations may follow suit. On Saturday the American Council on Education will consider a dues freeze, among other belt-tightening measures, at its annual meeting. —Kelly Field