Most things go...some holds barred...say what's on your mind (to an extent).
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Globetrotter wrote:While I do see what HammB and others are saying. The extreme economic inequality in the country can't be healthy. The mindset that this person is in management and an executive and this is what these people make now, seems like a pretty dangerous slope. I don't have the answers but something seems amiss when I look at the idea of "It takes smart people to wisely manage hundreds of millions of dollars (especially when constituent groups like the faculty association profit handsomely yet still complain) and smart people work for money. Must be because they're smart."
A response to the article states this....# Christopher Williams 2013-10-07 07:12
This was also the shocking take-away from the economic collapse of 2007-08. Rather than anyone being punished, the bonuses were large and continued, unquestioned, no matter how deep in the muck the particular entity was. It's this bizarre overvaluation of "executive" skills, which is fueled by people who have a lot of the power and money in the first place. It is uncertain if this attitude comes from Mazey herself: it is, rather a reflection of the attitudes of the Board of Trustees, who by and large come from the financial sector, fundamentally distrust what universities have traditionally done, and have been packed on the board by the Kasich administration.
I have a hard time finding the actual practicality of things like Occupy Wall Street but I really do think there has been a substantial mindset shift that if someone makes a ton more money then some one else they are probably worth it and good for them, and if someone doesn't make a lot of money they are probably worth it and need to change to make more money.
I tried to keep this in the middle because I don't really have the answer and it walks the political tight rope that we are not allowed, for good reason, to walk here. Just thought I would lay my 2 cents, which is all it really is, down.
I think hazy, nebulous "executive" skills are overvalued myself but the reality is that economics and compensation are largely value neutal and in order to attract capable people they must be paid at the going rate. If we don't another university will.
Look at the arguments the faculty association were making over their very own contract. Raise our pay or else you'll see standards reduced and/or people leaving for greener pastures.
It’s interesting that those who condemn the excessive role money and finances play in university decision making are the same ones who shrewdly worked the system to finagle pay increases for themselves. It’s tough to criticize the corporatization of higher education (which I agree is bad) while simultaneously benefitting from that very same system.
Students are not “customers” but nor are they cash cows whose tuition rates must continually rise to accommodate the insatiable demands of groups with their hands out demanding more, namely the faculty association.
I think people who downplay the skill and expertise required to effectively manage a large organization have probably never managed an organization of any real size.
It's not the fall that hurts...it's when you hit the ground.
professorjackson wrote:Total faculty salaries account for 24% of BGSU's annual expenditures.
A 9% increase ($58.8 to $64.1 million dollars) from 2013 to 2014. Tough times indeed. Classified wages actually dropped so I doubt they'll be shedding any tears for the faculty.
How much in benefits? It says over $48 million in 2013 for all employees overall. Proportionally the faculty gets the biggest chunk of that too.
The raises faculty received were not to cover just one year, but included retroactive raises to cover years when the raises were zero. Accounting for inflation and increased contributions to STRS, these are not overly generous raises.
Faculty are not even a majority of employees at BGSU.
It sounds to me like Classified Staff need to unionize.
Based on your link, faculty salaries have dropped to 22.9% of total funds available. Almost 80% of what the university spends its money on is not the people who deliver the central things for which the university exists.
professorjackson wrote:Based on your link, faculty salaries have dropped to 22.9% of total funds available. Almost 80% of what the university spends its money on is not the people who deliver the central things for which the university exists.
Like buildings for the faculty to teach in and the students to live in?
[quote="professorjackson"]Based on your link, faculty salaries have dropped to 22.9% of total funds available. Almost 80% of what the university spends its money on is not the people who deliver the central things for which the university exists.[/quote]
PJ's right...we need to pay our athletic coaches more
It's not the fall that hurts...it's when you hit the ground.
I encourage you all to stand with the faculty. As the administration outsources instruction, cuts the faculty, increases class sizes and reduces choices for students, we are fighting to maintain the value of a BGSU degree.
professorjackson wrote:I encourage you all to stand with the faculty. As the administration outsources instruction, cuts the faculty, increases class sizes and reduces choices for students, we are fighting to maintain the value of a BGSU degree.
That's all fine and dandy, but where would you argue cuts should be made? The biggest issue we face is state funding, which has decreased over the decade and doesn't look to be rebounding anytime soon. The only way to improve our state funding at this point is to retain and graduate students.
I'm just curious what areas you see as areas that funds could be cut or trimmed?
What choices are they reducing for students? If we're cutting degree programs that generate little interest and benefit to the University.....I say have at it.
It's not the fall that hurts...it's when you hit the ground.
Religious or political discussions will not be tolerated, nor will personal attacks. The forum will be policed offending posts will be removed, and offending posters will be warned and/or disciplined.
