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Compensation Philosophy and Practices

At Dominican, we are committed to fostering a supportive and values-driven workplace that reflects our core principles of Caritas et Veritas (Love and Truth). Our compensation practices are designed to attract, retain, and support a talented workforce that contributes to the academic and personal growth of our students while ensuring fairness, transparency, and opportunity within our community.

Our Compensation Philosophy

º£½ÇÉçÇø is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic workplace through competitive, equitable, and transparent compensation practices aligned with our mission and motto, Caritas et Veritas (Love and Truth). Our philosophy centers on equity and affordability, prioritizing practices that promote accessibility to essential resources, such as health care and benefits, for all employees—particularly those in our most economically vulnerable positions.

We recognize that equitable compensation is not just a financial decision for the university but an investment in the university’s collective success. By ensuring fairness and transparency, we contribute to a thriving community where all employees can reach their full potential.

To uphold this commitment, we regularly review and adjust compensation based on benchmarks from peer institutions, while considering cost of living, industry standards, and internal equity. By honoring the diverse contributions of all employees and ensuring fairness across dimensions such as gender, race, tenure, and other attributes, we sustain a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and connected to the university’s growth and mission.

Guiding Principles

• Ensure compensation structures eliminate disparities.
• Design compensation and benefits strategies that prioritize employee retention, professional development, and career growth opportunities.
• Maintain accessible benefits, such as affordable health care plans, to support benefit eligible employees, especially those in lower-income positions.
• Uphold communication about compensation practices, fostering trust and clarity in every decision.
• Align compensation practices with the institution’s financial ability to implement and sustain necessary adjustments over time.

Compensation Highlights

• Base Salary: Competitive pay aligned with market standards and benchmarks such as CUPA, AAUP, and other industry resources to ensure fair and sustainable compensation practices.
• Pay Equity: Regular compensation reviews to maintain fairness across roles, ensuring alignment with job responsibilities and market factors.
• Total Rewards Package: A comprehensive offering that includes benefits, professional development opportunities, and initiatives supporting work-life balance and employee well-being.

Our Benchmarking Process

Our compensation strategy is designed to ensure fairness, competitiveness, and sustainability by utilizing trusted industry benchmarks and data-driven decision-making.

• Data-Driven Benchmarking: We utilize compensation data from CUPA, AAUP, and the U.S. Department of Labor to establish equitable salary structures.
• Peer Institution Comparisons: Compensation is benchmarked against similar institutions based on size, geographic location, and industry relevance to maintain competitive pay.
• Market Responsiveness: Regular reviews and adjustments are conducted to align with changing market trends, economic conditions, and employee feedback, ensuring continued fairness and transparency.

Our Commitment to Transparency and Fairness

We are committed to fostering a transparent and supportive environment where employees feel informed, valued, and engaged. Our approach to compensation reflects this commitment through the following key principles:

• Open Communication: We ensure clarity in our compensation philosophy and practices through campus-wide updates, informational sessions, and accessible resources so employees stay informed.
• Regular Reviews: Compensation structures are periodically reviewed to maintain alignment with market standards and ensure fairness across roles and departments.
• Employee Engagement: We encourage employees to ask questions, provide feedback, and participate in discussions on compensation practices to promote a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Accessible Information: Employees have access to FAQs, compensation resources, and detailed explanations of how our approach aligns with our mission and values.
• Trust and Collaboration: Transparency builds trust. By fostering open dialogue and fair compensation practices, we create an environment where every employee understands how their contributions are valued and supported.

We believe that a clear, inclusive, and fair approach to compensation is essential in building a thriving workplace community.

For more information about our compensation philosophy, please contact the Office of People and Culture. Together, we aim to create a workplace where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Questions? Visit Frequently Asked Questions and select Compensation and Merit Increases.