Comments on: What’s a university president worth?

By: SnowPharoah

SnowPharoah — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:14:16 +0000

It seems to me that part of the problem is that all universities in Canada are deeply strapped for cash. I have often thought that over-paying administration has been part of the structural financial problem. University presidents do a lot of important work, no doubt about that, but when they make 6 or 7 times the salary of most profs, there is a structural problem.

This problem has repercussions in the public view of the university: How can you ask for fee increases, alma mater donations or additional public funding if your president is making half a million a year?

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:45:19 +0000

I work at a university in a country that is bankrupt, and where the government has imposed budget cuts across the education sector that have the universities reeling with shock. The only way that public servants (university professors are considered civil servants here) will accept these cuts is if those receiving enormous salaries take their share of the pain. So far, University Presidents have refused to do this. Is it any wonder morale is at an all time low?

By: AR

AR — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:17:12 +0000

The problem is that you also need to look at what professors, adjuncts/sessionals and TAs are paid. (And staff, for that matter.) University presidents enrich themselves and those who do the work that makes the university a university make barely enough to get by. And they also have extensive “experience, knowledge and talent”. Why is it acceptable that a handful of folks at universities make out like bandits while the rest get screwed?