Dean Jones says:

"Good point.  Suppose we 'split the difference'.  I'll offer you a nine-month salary at the 47th percentile.

To summarize, here is the contract package I am offering:

**Two guaranteed trips to conferences each year for two years

**$1,000 for software to analyze data

**$10,000 for hardware (i.e., special computer processor and other equipment)

**A nine-month salary at the 47th percentile

**Required to teach four summer sessions, none of which count toward your teaching load

**Five-day a week teaching schedule.

Your response?

1. "I accept your kind and generous offer."

2. "You know, odd numbers are so imperfect and would seem difficult for your budgeting process.  Why not round up to the 50th percentile?  I could agree to come down from my 61st percentile, if you could agree to come up.  I'm coming down 11 percent and you are moving up only three percent."