SUMMARY: Faculty and staff at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) rallied on campus for increased pay, aiming to raise awareness of their situation in the hopes of bringing change. Despite rainy weather, professors, grad students, and others assembled to highlight their below-average salaries compared to other institutions. Jeremey Scott, President of the USM American Association of University Professors, noted that research indicates USM faculty and staff earnings are lower than similar universities. Grad students joined the rally to press for higher stipends, conveying that their current pay barely covers rent, not including food or bills. Some faculty and staff use campus food pantries, which lack essential items. Scott emphasized that pay raises could help retain faculty and staff, marking a significant investment in the university’s future. According to the USM AAUP report, faculty at the university earn about twenty-one thousand dollars less than the competitive average.

The rainy weather did not stop USM faculty and staff from rallying in search of competitive pay.

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