UC leaders oblivious to pay-tuition link

By U-T San Diego Editorial Board

During Janet Napolitano’s first year as president of the University of California, one of her main focuses has been on shoring up the finances of a UC system coming off years of recession-driven state budget cuts — cuts that led to huge tuition hikes. When the books don’t balance, UC regents pass the pain on to the student body.

With UC faring better in the last two state budgets, this linkage appears to have been forgotten. Last week, at Napolitano’s urging, regents gave 20 percent raises to three chancellors at UC campuses and, for the incoming chancellor at a fourth university, UC Irvine, $93,000 more than his predecessor made. Their average pay will be higher than $400,000.

Did the UC president do so because there was heavy turnover among chancellors? Did she do so because it’s been difficult finding highly qualified candidates to be chancellors? No convincing evidence was offered that either is a problem at UC. Yet only Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom voted against the huge pay hikes.

And several regents promised that big raises are in store for all categories of UC employees. “It may start with the chancellors, but it certainly won’t end there,” said regent Dick Blum.

Students and their parents know what that means: Tuition inflation looms. But at least student loan agents will keep busy.

[Source]: San Diego Union Tribune