Follow the money
Barb Nichols, Special to The Gazette
Monday, November 7, 2011
The October 22 and 23 issue of the Gazette contained an article from the Lawrence Journal World which reported that “University Presidents Get Raises.”
Perhaps there is a money tree somewhere that I am unaware of which would provide the funding for these raises. Within the article was a comment that until now the nine-member board had not granted salary increases to the heads of regents schools since 2009 (such a long time ago) as the state “has” (past tense) struggled with the recession. Most of us who pay attention even a little bit to what is happening in our country are aware that THE STATE OF KANSAS IS BROKE. And so is the country.
Of course, we must sympathize with these poor university presidents who have to live on such meager compensation. For example, Kansas University Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little has to struggle to get by on $432,650 annually and that is a mere $7,650 increase which includes a cost of living increase of 1.8 percent. Add to that all of the perks such as bonuses, a car, a house and expense accounts. No need to wonder why the cost of a college education is escalating at such a wild pace and the state is broke.
The article continues noting that the Regents also provided “market adjustments,” ranging from 12.2 percent to 14.7 percent, for the heads of Kansas State, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State. Under the pay plan, K-State’s Kirk Schulz will see a $50,500 annual increase making his salary a mere pittance of $400,500, Steve Scott, president of Pittsburg State will receive a 14.7 percent market increase making his salary $248,378 and Ed Hammond, president of Fort Hays State, 12.2 percent increasing his salary to $255,200. The increases will take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
These figures would be shocking in this economy if they were paid to private company executives but it is outrageous to expect taxpayers to fork over their hard-earned funds to continue padding already exorbitant salaries.
Amazingly, the method of payment was criticized by Regent Tim Emert of Independence who was the lone opponent of the plan which was approved 8-1. He opposed the plan, not because it was too much, but because he said the raises should be paid with all state dollars and not placed on the backs of students and foundation funds. To be fair, he also said he was concerned about the employees who are not getting raises. Of course, the fact is there is no money for raises for them either.
According to the article, the increases will be paid through a combination of public and private endowment funds however, the Regents have not decided how much will be private and how much will be public funds. If I were a betting person I would put my money on primarily public funds.
Kansas Board of Regents members are appointed by the Governor for four-year terms then must be approved by the state Senate. Each board member receives a $35 stipend for each day they meet.
According to the Kansas Board of Regents website, six of the nine regents were appointed by former Governor Sebelius or reappointed by former Lt. Governor Parkinson who became governor when Sebelius became Secretary of Health and Human Services for President Obama. Governor Sam Brownback appointed three of the remaining board members in June. It remains to be seen if Governor Brownback will be able to find any common sense citizens to replace the rest of the board when their terms expire in 2013 and 2014. We can always hope.
One more excerpt from the article states that the salary for the Emporia State University president is yet to be determined when a new president is hired to fill the vacant slot. So we can expect a huge increase for that position too. Oh well, it is just money and we can get some more from that secret money tree, wherever it may be.
By the way, just for comparison purposes, research shows the median salary of U.S. Governors is $129,962. The President of the United States receives $400,000. It would appear that the Regents believe that the job of a university president is much harder and more important than that of the Governor of a state or the leader of the free world. Go figure!
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Great article.
November 7, 2011 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
It appears that most college presidents get on the average 150 dollars per student.
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-...
November 7, 2011 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
@Barb Nichols: Very good article!
November 7, 2011 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyberspace (anonymous) says...
Barb,
Do you have a problem with the salaries of Bill Snyder, Bill Self, Frank Martin, or Turner Gill? These coaches of so-called amateur athletics are making at least 2 to 5 times what these university presidents or the governer make. All for coaching a kid's game. What do you say to that?
November 8, 2011 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalkrocks (anonymous) says...
Maybe these presidents actually earn what they get. Fort Hays St for example is booming. They are more than double the size of E State, and let me tell you, I have been to Hays and it isn't so great. The presidents are responsible to keep a college running smoothly. In charge of keeping lots of people employed by keeping students coming through the door. Imagine for a second that Emporia didn't have a University....how fast do you think our population would decline? The University is the best thing Emporia has going for itself. It brings students in, keeps people employed by the State, brings in new businsesses and new jobs, brings in tourism to spend money etc etc.
People like to whine about other people's salaries because they appear big, when the truth really is they have no idea what they do and no idea how good they do their job. Sure $400k is a lot of money, but Turner Gill makes 5 times that much and what has it gotten KU...5 wins in 21 games.
November 8, 2011 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And some wonder why tuition keeps going up? Duh !
November 8, 2011 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )