This article in the Daily Star may seem like a bunch of math, but it's one of the most critical and hard-hitting looks at the numbers game any paper has yet taken in this 'transformation process.' Complete with pdf.s, charts and photos, the Star walks you thorough the outrageous salary situation at the U of A. Since 2005 the number of employees whose salaries were paid 100% by the state and made over 100K/year increased by 53%. Can anyone recall what else has increased by nearly 53% since 2005? Tuition!
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/272652.php
Is it ironic, then, that on the same day the news reports that as part of the auto industry bailout the top executives at those companies were given $1.6 billion in bonuses and perks?
Once again, Sallygradstudent urges top officials to take one for the team and reduce their salaries voluntarily for the short term. One of the best quotes in the Star article states that employees that currently make $16,000/year, some of whom have to rely on food stamps, should not be the ones to pick up the slack on this one. Despite the possible risk to long-term competitiveness when it comes to hiring (something the administration likes to shout into the wind while the university budget crumbles around them), a short-term salary reduction for the highest-paid officials would most likely improve morale, help form a feeling of comraderie, and most likely help keep a few jaded academics from jumping ship.
Almost no one gets into academia for the money. We hope that the administration will prove that they uphold the value of education in this state more than their own comfort.
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