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With contract negotiations between CFA and CSU management stalled at impasse over many issues, including the CSU’s stubborn refusal to lift the minimum salaries of the lowest two salary ranges (A and B, the ranges at which most lecturers are employed), as CFA has proposed, it is more vital than ever that lecturers and librarians on temporary contracts know our rights regarding the range elevation process.

What is range elevation?

Range elevation is the formal process through which lecturers and temporary librarians can increase our salaries by moving from one salary range to the next (e.g., from Range A to B, B to C, or C to D).  While a range elevation brings a salary increase of at least 5%, or the percentage increase required to reach at least the minimum of the next range (whichever is greater), lecturers who receive range elevation can and should ask for a larger increase than the minimum required by the CBA, just as CFA encourages tenure-line to ask for more than the minimum required at promotion.

Should I apply?

Absolutely, yes! In recent years, the success rate is over 90 percent for lecturers and temporary librarians who have applied for range elevation.  It pays to apply!

Thanks to improvements secured by CFA in prior contract negotiations, many more lecturers and temporary librarians have become eligible to apply for range elevation in recent years.

Range elevation is not automatic. If you are eligible, you need to apply. Your campus administration is required to notify you, if you are eligible to apply, at least 30 days prior to the application deadline.

How do I apply for range elevation?

Each campus has its own application procedures.  Some campuses have application deadlines in the Fall; some campuses have deadlines in the Spring.

After you’ve reviewed your campus range elevation policies and timelines, it’s a good idea to talk with your department chair and with other lecturers to learn more about what is expected for a successful application.

How do I know whether I’m eligible to apply?

If you are eligible to apply, your campus administration is required to notify you at least 30 days prior to the application deadline.

Can I calculate my own eligibility?

Yes, you can calculate for yourself whether you are eligible to apply.

There are two ways to become eligible to apply for range elevation.  For details on how to calculate your eligibility for yourself under each of the two tracks, see Article 12.16 of the 2022-2024 contract.

If you need help understanding whether you are eligible, contact your campus Lecturer Representative or Faculty Rights Chair, whose emails you can find here. 

For questions about your years of service, time base, and salary, contact your campus payroll office

You can appeal if denied

If your application is denied, you may appeal to a campus peer review panel. Most lecturers who have appealed have been successful in their appeals. If you are denied, you are permitted to apply again in subsequent years.

Many CFA chapters offer range elevation workshops, so watch for these. Our CFA workshops offer practical advice on preparing a successful application for range elevation.

Want to learn more? Become active with your local CFA chapter Faculty Rights team. Find your representative here.

  • Browse the faculty contract here.
  • See an archive of Faculty Rights Tips.
  • If you have questions about a faculty rights tip or would like to suggest a tip, please write us with the subject line “Faculty Rights Tip.”
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