To the editor:

What good news that the Kansas University GTAs will be more adequately compensated for their important contribution to the mission of the university. KU could not function without the efforts of these dedicated individuals. I commend GTAC for their tireless struggle to get these changes initiated.

As a classified employee at KU, I want to speak up on behalf of the roughly 1,874 office workers, housekeepers, maintenance crews, library staff, dining hall employees, accountants and others who, like the GTAs, keep the university operating on a daily basis. According to the KU Office of Institutional Research and Planning, the average full-time classified employee earned about $23,000 last year, more than $3,000 less than the average GTA (using the average GTA wage of $9,946 per 50 percent nine-month appointment).

You might not realize that the KU classified workforce, employed by the state of Kansas, will not be receiving a cost of living increase or step (merit) increase this year. Our current wages cannot absorb the increasing expenses we face. We are your friends and neighbors, your colleagues and customers. Many of us are supporting families with our incomes including, ironically, increased KU tuition expenses.

This being an election year, I ask for candidates to publicly affirm their commitment to the state’s classified workforce and for voters to choose candidates who are committed to restoring step increases and funding an adequate cost of living increase for the state’s classified employees. A well-paid KU classified workforce benefits not only the university, but the Lawrence community as well.

Maud Morris,

Lawrence