Dean Jones says:

"I'm not going to quibble...but I'm not going to pay you a salary at the 75th percentile either!

Tell you what:  I am willing to adjust my offer a bit. I'll raise the nine-month salary to the 70th percentile and lower the number of summer sessions that you teach from three to ONE.  This is in addition to paying for TWO conference trips for you for the next two years.

Here is the new contract package I'd like to offer you:

**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 70th percentile

**Required to teach ONE summer sessions, which does not count toward your teaching load

**Three-day a week teaching schedule.

Welcome to our university!"

Critique:

This was a good agreement for you.  You got above-average wages, two guaranteed trips, and a reduced teaching schedule.  By paying for the extra travel out of your own pocket, you satisfied the Dean's underlying concerns about appearing fair to other faculty members, while also satisfying your own need to attend conferences.