Why do the examples of 2003 W2s for academics paid monthly at UIC look as if we will be paid more during the transition year?
First, several years ago UIC changed from quarters to semesters but made no corresponding change in the dates for academic appointments. For example, currently 9/12 appointments provide service August 21 – May 20 but the pay calendar is September 1 – August 31, meaning faculty are providing service for a time period that is different from their contract dates. Changing service to August 16 – May 15 and pay to the 16th of each month eliminates this issue at the time of the transition. To accomplish the transition, 9/12 appointments will be paid out on September 1 for the remainder of the 2002-2003 current year of service. Secondly, the difference at UIC is that for both 9/12 appointments and appointments on a 12-month service basis, the current pay calendar is Sept 1- Aug 31 with pay dates on the 1st of each month. Because the current pay for all of December occurs in January, each year one month’s earnings is shifted to the next tax year. With the earlier pay date one-half of December
