University president should not be given so much compensation amid budget cuts

George Ross will earn $400,000 in his first year once he assumes his position March 1 as university president.

This is a $47,443 pay increase over former university president Micheal Rao, who had been with Central Michigan University for eight years before leaving for the same position at Virginia Commonwealth University.With CMU’s budget in a crisis and Michigan’s economy continuing its struggles, it is difficult to justify paying Ross so much money in his first year at CMU.

The Board of Trustees would say Ross’ salary is comparable given inflation and necessary to bring in a qualified candidate. But the university is taking a risk in potentially overpaying someone who does not have years of experience to back such a high salary.

Ross’ previous experience as a university president consists only of his two-year term at Alcorn State University. Before that, he served as vice president of Finance and Administrative Services at CMU from December 2002 to March 2007.

But the issue goes beyond the salary. Besides having a university-provided house, Ross will receive $10,000 a year for furnishings, a bonus of up to 20 percent each year if performance goals are met and $16,500 a year for his retirement fund. How the Board of Trustees will go about evaluating which goals are met remains to be seen.

These perks, although not uncommon in a president’s salary package at other schools, could be trimmed to save the university money at a time when the budget is a concern. Taxpayers and students, who are already struggling, will bear the burden of paying for Ross’ contract.

Meanwhile, every entity on campus is getting nickle-and-dimed amid a tight budget. The math and writing centers — skills that are the backbone to a student’s education — could face reduced hours if funding is cut. Computer labs are no longer open 24 hours every day of the week to ensure every student can get their homework done.

Departments are to propose a plan by today that would cut either 3, 6 or 9 percent of their budget. All these reductions have an effect on students’ academic success. The administration defends these budget cuts by saying they are essential for CMU’s survival.

But what is more important? A fat paycheck for a president or intelligent students who can work to make the world a better place? The answer seems quite obvious at CMU.

The Board of Trustees should have kept Ross’ salary in the $300,000 range, an amount that remains competitive compared to schools of similar size, and would still be attractive to a man who had a base salary of $192,937.50 — more than $100,000 less — in his previous presidential position.

CMU needs to reassess where its priorities lie. It needs to refocus on what it takes to provide students with an all-around quality campus life.

That starts with great professors and great students who are given the opportunity to succeed.