West Virginia University faculty are getting closer to earning as much as their peers nationally, but President James Clements agrees that there is more work to do.

The Dominion Post (http://bit.ly/un6te5) says the issue was discussed with the Board of Governors on Thursday.

Faculty representative Robert Griffith said educators are grateful for recent raises that have narrowed the gap.

On average, a full professor now earns $106,496 for a nine-month
contract. An associate professor earns about $78,416, and an
assistant professor makes about $62,232.

Those averages don't include specialists in the medical field.

But nationally, a full professor averages $118,054. An associate
professor averages $81,266, and an assistant professor averages
$69,777.

Board Chairman Drew Payne says WVU will continue its efforts to
bring faculty in line with peer institutions.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)