To the Editor:
This response deals with the article that ran in the issue printed Wednesday, Feb 4 titled "More for Less." After reading about certain faculty members and/or former administrative executives and what they get paid relative to their job requirements, I wish I could say I couldn't believe it, but the grim truth is I can. This seems to be a reality of today. Although countless Americans seem to be suffering in the dark times of our economy, the ones who most likely won't be suffering are the executive officers who ride the coattails of free market economy and drive banks into the ground, only receive multi-million dollar severance packages which would make multiple average working people in America set for life and beyond. As my eyes grazed the page to read about former administrators such as former university President Greiner, and former administrator John Naughton and the salaries they are still bringing in which climb into the hundred thousands ($225,000 and $310,263 according to the Albany Times Union), it really forces one to ask some questions.
This university has been in an indefinite hiring freeze since October in light of the tanking economy. As the economy still continues to plummet, the university faces the possibility of cutting back on faculty. Why is one individual who isn't even a ranking official anymore making enough money to sum multiple faculty members combined who teach and get comparatively nothing? When did the institution of education contract tics such as these administrators which suck funds through the veins of students? What happened to the great minds of today teaching the minds of tomorrow? But of course, it's a better idea to increase tuition by $600, and put the demand on those who already struggle: the students. It's individuals like these former administrators I mention above which disgrace the educational intuition in America, and gives rise to a recurring theme in today's society that there are just too many people obsessed with making too much money to know what to do with. It doesn't seem to be about giving tomorrow's leaders the tools for progress anymore, especially for these administrators who at best, according to your article, are teaching 1-2 classes at best.
It's one thing if a brilliant individual is aiding those in aspiring to similar successes such as Dean of Medicine, but what we have here instead is overpaid individuals doing virtually nothing to give back something which warrants such sky-high salaries. These administrators symbolize some of the biggest economic problems in America. When I graduate UB, and look at how much debt I'm in, I'll most probably surrender to the fact that as much as I feel I have to give this society, I will never make as much as these two individuals do for teaching 100-level classes.
Evan Holt
Senior psychology major
evanholt@buffalo.edu
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
