The Chemical World This Week
PROFESSORS' PAY TRAILS INFLATION AGAIN For the second consecutive year, faculty members at U.S. universities and colleges are going backwards economically. Indeed, finds of Unithe American Association 01 versity Professors' annual salary survey, tne the average has survey, averaee professor Droiessor nas 4.2% less purchasing power this academic year than in 1973-74, despite a nominal rise of 6.4% in compensation (salary plus fringe benefits) to $18,580. The cause: a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 11.1%. Results of the survey of 1548 schools—appropriately titled "Two Steps Backward"—were released a week ago at AAUP's 61st annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The survey shows continuation of a trend unbroken during the past decade: Faculty compensation generally has grown 5 to 7% a year, but these "raises" have increased purchasing power less and less as inflation spiraled upward, finally crossing over to a net drop in buying power last year (C&EN, May 6, 1974, page 22).
Faculty lost purchasing power again this year % annual change Total increase
-4
ri 1970-71 71-72
72-73
73-74
74-75
a Includes average salary plus fringe benefits compared to previous academic year, b Compared to previous academic year. Source: American Association of University Professors
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C&EN June 16, 1975
Furthermore, AAUP notes, faculty members are faring worse than workers in general (whose compensation in 1974-75 rose nominally by 7.1%, with a fall in purchasing power of 3.6%). Additionally, the report points out, faculty economic status is better analyzed using the Higher Living Standard Index, instead of the usual CPI. By the higher index, faculty real incomes fell nearly 7% this year. The loss in purchasing power affects all ranks about equally, although lecturers suffer somewhat more. Geographically, salaries continue to be highest in Mid-Atlantic states and lowest in the South. For the future, the report projects a halt to erosion of faculty compensation, anticipating a mild economic recovery and lower inflation (6.5%) in 1975-77. However, the "lost ground" will not be recovered quickly. This year's survey also contains for the first time separate salary data for male and female faculty. "As anticipated," women earn less than men at all ranks, with the disparity largest for full professors (8.4% lower, $22,690 vs. $24,760). Women occupy less than 23% of faculty positions and tend to be concentrated in the lower ranks and at lower paying and less prestigious schools. The survey finds an average "within-rank" difference of 4.5% ($800), but notes that "our data do not indicate how much of this differential is accounted for by such factors as age, experience and service, concentration in lower-paid departments, and how much by discrimination." Some light is shed on this question by two recent studies (C&EN, May 26, page 17), which indicate that there is no sex discrimination in recruitment of new Ph.D.'s or in salaries for junior ranks. However, conclude Dr. Alan E. Bayer and Dr. Helen S. Astin, upper-level male professors receive appreciably higher compensation than females with similar qualifications (controlling for such factors as research productivity, length of employment, attainment of higher degrees, and discipline). On another front, the AAUP meeting voted censure for five school administrations for violations of academic freedom, tenure, and
due process: the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, Concordia Seminary, Houston Baptist University, Elmira College, and the Virginia community college system. Five other schools were removed from the list: Cornell University; the University of Florida, Gainesville; the University of Mississippi; West Chester State College; the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. G
Study recommends fluorocarbon ban A five-month study by an interagency federal task force has concluded that "there seems to be legitimate cause for serious concern" that the stratosphere's ozone may be depleted by the release of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere. And the task force recommends that the use of fluorocarbons in aerosols be banned and other uses of the compounds be restricted by January 1978—assuming that the findings of a National Academy of Sciences study to be completed next spring confirm that a problem really exists. Ozone shields the earth from ultraviolet radiation, which can give rise to skin cancer and cause weather changes. Du Pont, the principal producer of fluorocarbons, has expressed "strong disagreement" with the recommendations of IMOS. In a statement issued at press time, the company says that the task force's recommendation that restrictions be contemplated on the use of the compounds is "tantamount to prejudging the results of the [ongoing] research and imposing a guiltyunless-proven-innocent verdict." About 50% of the fluorocarbons produced in the U.S. are used as aerosol propellants, 28% as refrigerants, and the rest as solvents in fire extinguishers and agents for making foams. The federal Task Force on Inadvertent Modification of the Stratosphere (IMOS) is cochaired by Dr. Warren Muir, senior staff member of environmental health at the Council on Environmental Quality, and Carroll Pegler, who is with the National Science Foundation's science and technology policy office. Specifically, IMOS was set up to come up with a "proposed federal
program to resolve the issue" of possible ozone depletion in the stratosphere by chlorofluorocarbons. It also had to determine which federal agency should regulate the compounds. IMOS says that no new research needs to be initiated at this time, because a "considerable amount of research already is completed or under way" at various federal agencies. Further, chlorofluorocarbons producers also have been sponsoring and conducting "relevant" research. Regulation of these compounds, the task force adds, falls within the jurisdiction of three agencies. Fluorocarbons used as propellants in foods, drugs, and cosmetic products "can b e " regulated by the Food & Drug Administration; pesticide products by the Environmental Protection Agency; and products for use by consumers by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It says that at the present time there is no federal authority for regulating fluorocarbons used in automobile and in industrial and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. However, the task force expects that with the passage of toxic substances control legislation in Congress, there will be adequate authority to regulate these uses. D
views the OSTP as a significant first step, and urges consideration of a Cabinet-level department of science, technology, energy, and materials (STEAM). Handler says that he is "delighted" with the President's decision, and that although an NAS panel had recommended a council of science and technology advisers, "we would not hold out for the council." G
Alza contraceptive close to market
Women who don't want to get pregnant soon will have another way not to. Alza Corp., Palo Alto, Calif., Rockefeller: keynote commentary says the Food & Drug AdministraScience Advisory Conference" sev- tion has notified it that its Progestaeral days before Rockefeller was sert system for birth control is scheduled to appear before the "approvable." Final approval awaits FDA review Teague committee. Rockefeller appeared not as a witness, but to offer of proposed labeling. If all goes well, "keynote commentary" to the the product could go on the U.S. House committee. Rockefeller's re- market early in 1976. Alza plans to marks were essentially the same at introduce the new system this year both places. And the reception ac- in Canada, Mexico, the U.K., and corded the Vice President might West Germany. Regulatory requirements already have been met in well be characterized as a love-in. In essence, Rockefeller said that those countries. Progestasert is a small (32 by 36 the director of OSTP also will serve as the President's adviser on sci- mm), T-shaped, flexible, memdrug reservoir. ence and technology. He added that brane-enclosed Ford is leaning toward Senate con- Placed in the uterus by a physician, firmation of the adviser's post. The it normally remains there for a year, new director (adviser) will be as- releasing a continuous low dose of sisted by a deputy director and a the female hormone progesterone. staff of up to 15 professionals. Asked According to Alza, it prevents conin the House how the number 15 was ception by acting directly on "the That Office of Science & Technol- arrived at, Rockefeller said that to target organ," the uterus, rather ogy Policy President Ford says he tell the "honest truth," the number than by suppressing ovulation. The wants Congress to create for the was "drawn out of the air." He said user has a normal menstrual cycle. White House, turns out to be mostly such a number provided "evidence" Because the dosage is so small, a reincarnation of the old Office of that the "Administration was seri- systemic effects of the hormone are Science & Technology abolished by ous about the matter." The Vice undetectable. Clinical tests on more President Nixon about two years President had recommended a staff than 6000 women have revealed no ago. The new OSTP will have no of five. (OST had a staff of 25 to 30 signs of the blood clotting disorders more clout on federal R&D budget professionals.) OSTP will have a that can cause strokes and other matters than did the old OST, budget of $1.5 million in its first vascular problems in women using which was limited at best. However, year, compared to OST's $2.1 mil- oral contraceptives, Alza says. unlike the existing arrangement, lion budget in its last year. And inProgestasert resembles—in fact, where the director of the National stead of a formalized President's is—an intrauterine device. As with Advisory Committee "conventional" IUD's, some women Science Foundation serves as "sci- Science ence adviser," the new OSTP and (PSAC) that existed with the old will experience cramping and extra its director will have military R&D OST, Ford proposes that outside menstrual bleeding. But, Alza expert advice be obtained on an ad points out, it's the drug that preunder their purview. Details of what the President hoc basis. vents conception, not the physical wants were conveyed to Congress By press time last week, three of irritation of the device itself. earlier this month in historic meet- the 16 witnesses scheduled for the The pregnancy rate among ings between Vice President Nelson House hearings had testified: H. women using the Progestasert sysRockefeller and Senate and House Guyford Stever, Rep. Mike Mc- tem is about 1.5% per year. With committees concerned with science Cormack (D.-Wash.), and Dr. Philip oral contraceptives, in a controlled and technology matters. Sen. Ed- Handler, president of the National situation, the rate is only about ward M. Kennedy (D.-Mass.) one- Academy of Sciences. All backed 0.5%. "But in the real world," an upped the House Science & Tech- the President's action. Among other Alza spokesman says, "the figure is nology Committee, chaired by Rep. things, Stever says that the return of more like 6%, mainly because Olin E. Teague (D.-Tex.), by get- an OST is a good move, noting that women forget to take the pills." ting the Vice President to appear at the "climate" for science adviser is With IUD's, the annual pregnancy a Kennedy-arranged "White House much better now. McCormack rate averages about 4%. G
Rockefeller outlines science office plans
June 16, 1975 C&EN
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