Recent Pay Equity Settlements for Female University Faculty

The disparity in the gender pay gap for university faculty members has been well-documented in higher education. An American Association of University Professors study showed that full-time female faculty members earn nearly 20% less than their male counterparts. The Eos Foundation and American Association of University Women noted that despite women making up a majority of positions in higher education, most of the top earners are men.

The concept of “pay equity” means compensating employees the same when they perform the same or similar job duties, while at the same time accounting for other factors, such as experience level, job performance and tenure with the employer. 

In October 2021, Syracuse University agreed to pay more than $3.7 million to settle a class-action lawsuit from five women professors who alleged that they were unfairly compensated compared to men in similar positions.

In August 2021, the University of Oregon agreed to pay $450,000 to settle the pay equity claims of now-retired professor, Jennifer Freyd.

Last year, Princeton University agreed to pay nearly $1 million to 106 female professors, past and present, following a federal investigation into pay equity there. At least $250,000 more was reserved for efforts to close additional gender-based pay gaps.