Texas’ Higher Ed Leaders: It’s The Money, Stupid
November 15th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Earlier this week, the Chronicle of Higher Education issued a report on just how stinking rich the presidents and provosts of America’s universities are becoming thanks to the stupendous six-figure salaries and luxurious extras showered upon them by our institutions of higher learning.
And of course it’s no surprise that the top dogs at Texas’ public universities rank right up there when it comes to carting home the cash.
While students often work for minimum wage — taking 12- and 15-hour course loads — and borrow thousands upon thousands just to pay the skyrocketing tuition, these head honchos rake it in.
According to the report: ” … the life for many college presidents is in some ways like that of members of Congress. Many college leaders enjoy free housing and cars, free travel and — since many meals are work-related — free food, too. So how do they spend their out-sized salaries? Many make large contributions to the institutions that employ them, while others splurge on getaway cabins or private planes.
Private planes?
According to the report, University of Texas System Chancellor Mark G. Yudof’s total compensation is $742,209 (plus a ‘house’). Michael D. McKinney, the head of the Texas A&M University System, receives compensation totalling $638,200. And Bill Powers, the lowly president of the University of Texas at Austin, raked in a total compensation package in 2006-2007 worth $599,780.
On top of these bewildering figures, the AP reported that tuition at the University of Texas may be going up:
The Tuition Policy Advisory Committee has recommended that the school hike tuition by an average of $318 per semester — starting next fall. The figure would rise an additional $303 for the 2009 fall semester.
The hike, which will have to be approved by the plutocrats that have been appointed to the UT Board of Regents by Gov. Rick “My Mansion Away From The Mansion” Perry, will surely be approved, and estimates put the current cost of attending UT at nearly $4,500 a semester.
Now, higher education used to be strictly for the privileged. Are we, or are not, moving backward?
November 17th, 2007 at 10:33 am
These salries are the most disgusting thing I’ve seen in educational salaries.
What exact function do these folks fulfill that warrents this level of pay? Is this the Leftist version of business CEO’s or has the far right taken over the universities.
How much do the professor’s make? Perhaps state universitys need an audit?