SCOPE

SCOPE, the Study of Compensation Outcomes and Peer Evaluations, is a comprehensive compensation and classification review for faculty and executives at the University of Mississippi that examines base pay, supplemental pay, and related policies and procedures.

What is SCOPE?

SCOPE is a compensation and classification study for faculty and executives at the University of Mississippi. SCOPE stands for Study of Compensation Outcomes and Peer Evaluations.


SCOPE will look not only at base pay but also at all related items of compensation and classification associated with faculty and executive roles such as base pay, supplemental pay and policies and procedures.

A new classification and compensation system for faculty and executives will help the university achieve four goals:

  • Attract and retain qualified employees
  • Provide fair salaries for all employees at UM
  • Provide clarity around pay practices for all employee groups at the university
  • Place most employee groups (faculty, staff, executive) into a formal university wide compensation and classification program

Details on SCOPE

SCOPE will include all full-time, part-time, tenured, nontenured and adjunct faculty members, as well as EEO-1 executive employees

What is not included

  • Unclassified research positions

The University of Mississippi seeks to be a model employer that attracts and retains the best talent. Part of this goal is finding the ideal approach to defining jobs and managing pay. The current compensation program has been in place for over 20 years. To ensure that the University of Mississippi can equitably, consistently and efficiently manage compensation for all employees, a new compensation and classification philosophy, structure, strategy, process and system must be established. SCOPE is an opportunity to expand on View2022, the new compensation and classification system for UM staff members, and modernize compensation and classification for all employee groups** across the University of Mississippi.

**Unclassified roles will continue to be managed outside a compensation and classification system (unclassified research, staff roles).

SCOPE is a key initiative of the Provost’s Office. It aligns with the university’s strategic plan, Empower Now, specifically, “alignment of resources to maximize organizational efficiencies and effectiveness.” SCOPE will support this objective to ensure equitable compensation for roles that require similar skill sets.

The project includes two timelines: study/infrastructure building, then implementation. Overall, the timeline will match that of View2022, which spanned two years. Specifically, more than one year will be needed for study, structure, policy, practices and market analysis. Then, at least one year will be needed for implementation (implementation will depend on the results of the study). Since work started in winter 2025, the estimated implementation or go-live date is summer 2027.

Once SCOPE is implemented, employees’ pay will not decrease. Changes (if any) to individuals’ salaries and classification will be clearly communicated in advance through leadership chains and direct communications.

Employees will have many opportunities to learn more and understand the impact of this important work. See the Frequently Asked Questions section of this website, which will be regularly updated, for more information.