Buy a Piece of Power
When I first heard yesterday that the NU regents will vote today on privately funding some NU administrators’ salaries, I thought to myself that it seemed like a potentially dangerous step. I decided to withhold judgment overnight to give myself some time to think about it.
Well, it’s morning, and I still don’t like it. The plus side seems to be that certain top dogs’ salaries will increase without any extra tax dollars, making the salaries more competitive with peer salaries. On the flip side, introducing private funds into the salaries of public employees—with barely any opportunity for public input—increases the potential for shenanigans. Even the perception that private dollars are buying influence over the administrators would be damaging to the University. (Sure, that perception already exists, but do we need to make it worse?)
This is just a simple, quick look at the proposal. Most of you, like me, have barely had any time to think about this idea. What are your initial impressions?
The Comments
Mr. T says My immediate impression is the September 5, 2008 at 8:15am
My immediate impression is the same as yours. I read the article quickly...did they mention if other peer universities also finance administrative positions through private funds? I’d feel better about UNL doing that if others were doing it and there haven’t been the kinds of perceptions or effects you warn of.
Private funding for student scholarships or learning programs - on the other hand - are things I wholeheartedly support.
Gene says I guess it depends on September 5, 2008 at 9:27am
I guess it depends on how the money is collected and awarded. If it’s coming from general donations then I don’t have a huge problem with it. If they’re going to solicit individuals and tie the donations back to the administrative staff when they’re soliciting the donations, I have the same concerns as y’all.
craig says UN too involved locally September 7, 2008 at 2:33pm
On the same vein Gene… it seems that solicitation of some sort would be required. The bounds of such would be the contributing factor. If local big $s are tossed certain expectations we have a problem already. It seems to me that UNL dictates too much to the local scene already and we get little in return.
peter says I don't think you'll see September 8, 2008 at 9:33am
I don’t think you’ll see any undue influence. From what I’ve seen, money donated to the University of Nebraska Foundation is not earmarked, unless it’s a specific endowment or a designated faculty chair. The Foundation gives out money with one goal - to advance the university.
They already supplement numerous faculty member in order to retain them. Doing the same for administrators seems logical.
There won’t be a situation where some sleazy real estate developer will pay part of Harvey Perlman’s salary and then own him.
craig says Thanks for the optimism September 8, 2008 at 10:12am
peter I do FEEL the same as you but considering the political environment of the University I would like to KNOW better what is going on. It would be wonderful to have response from concerned ‘members off the street’ that could give us a impartial view of the actions of the Foundation and the administrators.