The big payday

On Wednesday, The Spectrum published an exclusive report about the seemingly grandiose salaries of a few particular UB professors.

When professors attain administrative positions, it is nothing out of the ordinary; however, when administrators step down from their position and give up many responsibilities, some retain most of their top-dollar pay. This tradition has led to strange inconsistencies regarding the correlation of workload and pay, with some former deans earning more than the current ones. Some of these ex-administrators end up teaching introductory-level courses only to make more money than department provosts and chairmen.

Many of the contracts that pad ex-administrators' paychecks were signed under former UB President Greiner, who resigned in 2004. Greiner, who coincidentally benefits from this "more for less" ideal, makes over $225,000 annually for teaching one law school class-only $10,000 less than his presidential salary. This procedure was commonplace throughout many departments, with a number of professors still reaping the benefits they received as administrators.

While it is apparent that this act of overpaying professors is not the Simpson administration's error, we ask for an end to this seniority-driven system that rewards our teachers' resume rather than their productivity. Since it is the taxpayers who directly fund this institution, public money should not be thrown around so carelessly, especially in times of ongoing budget cuts and hiring freezes.

The current administration explained that factors such as market salaries partially explain these discrepancies and has assured The Spectrum that policies have been amended. But in the midst of a national and state budget crisis, this is the perfect time to make sure all dollars are accounted for. These policies leave students and taxpayers bearing the burden of mismanagement and irresponsible fiscal policies of yesteryear with little recourse.

Those with any financial stake in SUNY or state finances should demand assurance that current and future administrations will prevent abuses of the benefits of seniority. In a time when public tuition is on the rise and taxpayers bear the burden of irresponsible fiscal policies, education should not be yet another realm of perks comparable to golden parachutes and Wall Street corruption.