A group of women administrators have been meeting to discuss salary and professional progress in comparison with men administrators.

Peggy Sullivan, professional studies dean, said that about one year ago she organized an informal group of women administrators for the purpose of advancement of women in higher education administration.

Sullivan said the only group qualification is “women with administrative responsibilities that report to a dean or higher.”

This semester, the group consists of about 25 members which has decreased from 28 last semester, she said.

Nick Noe, institutional research director, said he spoke to the group in the past about information on the numbers of full-time faculty.

He said in the fall of 1987 the full-time academic faculty consisted of 741 men and 312 women. He said there were 214 men and 164 women administrators.

Noe said the female academic faculty members make 72 percent of male salaries.

“The reasons are that women tend to be in lower ranks and also they tend to be in lower paying disciplines,” Noe said.

The same reasons apply to administrative faculty, Noe said. Female administrators make about 70 percent of male salaries, he said.

Although they have not analyzed individual positions, Noe said they have “not found any significant differences” of salaries between men and women of similar positions.

Sullivan said she has found if a man and woman have about the same experience in their administrative field the woman probably has a lower salary.

If the woman had more experience, she probably earns a slightly higher salary, Sullivan said.

Salaries are based also on evaluations that are done periodically, she said.

However, Sullivan said she received a positive evaluation six years ago but is “paid less than any other dean of a degree granting college.

“The major point (of the group) is to have women administrators become acquainted,” Sullivan said.

The group wants to provide a “sense of direction and unity about the position of administrators at NIU,” she said.

Sharon Howard, University Resources for Women director and group member, said the group has been discussing topics concerning salary differences between men and women, tenures granted, promotions granted and “The New Agenda of Women for Higher Education.”

Howard said the agenda contains “records for institutions to measure progress for women.”

She said it will be the first chapter of the book “Educating the Majority” to be published this summer.

Howard said the group attempts to “create a supportive environment” and an “atmosphere of encouragement” for women adminstrators.

The group wants to improve the awareness of women in administration about their positions, Howard said.

Sullivan said there has been some interest among six or seven members in continuing the group.

Howard said the group has a 50 percent chance of continuing.