SUNY trustees voted Tuesday to increase the salary scale for the presidents of its four biggest schools. The ability of presidents to make up to 45 percent more than they currently receive is seen by SUNY officials and UB President John Simpson as a smart move designed maintain a competitive edge in searches for presidents. While drawing talented administrators is undeniably important, the quality of and access to the state education system should be the main priority of SUNY. These high raises conflict with this objective in many ways and should have been moderated.
We are not convinced that this salary scale hike was necessary. Simpson said in an interview with The Spectrum that while he supports the hike, salary was not an important issue in his decision to come to UB. Rather, the reputation of UB as a quality university was the driving force behind his choice.
Furthermore, Simpson is our first new president in 13 years. Since UB was founded in 1846 we have had only fourteen presidents. Most other universities have similar histories. Open positions for the office of university president, as are most positions in academia, are few and far between. Competition is intense and those vying for a position are probably less likely to be driven by salary then by a desire to get the position. If Simpson's experience rings true with others, pay is only a small part of the equation.
In a surprising move, the board decided not to raise the salary of SUNY Chancellor Robert King. Trustees say they may revisit the issue, which would be a mistake. King is currently well provided for. He receives a salary of $225,000, is provided with a car and driver, and is paid a $90,000 housing allowance to live in the same Albany house he had before he was named chancellor. The proposal would have increased King's possible pay to $420,000.
These pay increases are being passed during a financially tough period for the state and the SUNY system. Trustees voted at the same meeting to raise tuition by $300 at some community colleges. Governor George Pataki recently slashed funding for low-income students, and although undergraduates did not see tuition increases this year, we are all too familiar after the steep tuition hike of 2003.
Tuition increases can logically be expected to continue to increase. It appears that the state legislature, Governor Pataki and SUNY trustees are not overly concerned with stabilizing rising costs. To rub salt in the wound, these tuition increases are met with less class offerings, fewer new programs and services, and a reduction in both federal and state financial aid. State education was designed for students not normally able to pursue more expensive private institutions. Now the ability to attend state schools is slipping further and further out of the hands of the lower socioeconomic classes.
It is true that this decision represents only the possibility of higher salaries and that this money is but a drop in the pot. It does however send a strong message to present students and prospective students that amid statewide financial constraints and the decay of the SUNY system, its leaders will nevertheless approve significant pay rises.
Successfully competing with other schools for job candidates begins not with pay but with the quality of the system. These increases do nothing to meet this objective.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
