This is a crummy idea for several reasons:
Statue of Nick Saban |
· Second, this proposal fails to address the legitimate criticisms raised by college students that university executives are paid exorbitant salaries while students suffer under the strain of rising tuition costs and growing student-loan indebtedness. Enhancing presidents’ salaries from foundation funds does nothing to put the lid on excessive salaries and benefits for university presidents and senior executives.
· Third, the notion that universities must pay their presidents extravagantly in order to attract top talent is absurd. This is the same argument the finance industry made to justify obscene bonuses and compensation for top bank executives--the very people who put the national economy in the toilet. Does anyone really believe our universities cannot attract able leaders without paying them a half million dollars a year or more?
In Good to Great, Jim Collins pointed out a common characteristic of truly great corporations: modest leaders. Modest university presidents would put the interest of their institutions and their students above their own desire for more money. And modest university presidents would accept some personal financial sacrifice before asking students to pay higher tuition or faculty to accept wage freezes.
I hope the California State University Board of Trustees abandons this ill-advised proposal. The student protesters are right: salaries and perks for university presidents and senior executives are too high and need to be capped until higher education’s financial crisis is past.
References
Stephen Ceasar, S. & and Rivera C. (2012, May 1). Cal State to consider letting foundations augment president’s pay. Los Angeles Times.
I very much agree with you. I would not want to see the post of president become more celebrity than it is student-focused. I fear that with a similar compensation structure to our leading football coaches, we would start down such a path.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I have seen some of the salaries for university presidents. I daresay they already make a comfortable living (granted, it is earned). And perceptions are reality! Regardless of where the money comes from, the typical student will only see that their president (if they can still be called 'their president' after foundations start writing paychecks) is making a fortune while they are taking out their third student loan to be able to stay in school. What will that do to morale?