Sunday, April 14, 2013

 Show us the money!


On looking at the Editorial pages of the Strib today there were no more articles about the University of Minnesota and its financial situation for what seems to be the first time in a long while. So far, Governor Carlson has weighed in, Regent Cohen has responded, and both Representative Winkler and The Periodic Table have responded to Regent Cohen.

Will this brouhaha make a difference?

It had better or the U will continue to be viewed by many of the citizens of the state in a bad light. The first move is to make keeping tuition reasonable and to really mean it. 


From this Sunday's Letters to the Editor of the Star-Tribune:


U EXCESS

A former governor’s criticisms draw support

Former Gov. Arne Carlson’s critique of the University of Minnesota’s “bloat” is correct (“A skewed U,” April 7). I obtained a degree from the U in 1973, when paying for education by working was easy. These days, the salaries those in this bloated administrative fiefdom pay themselves seem criminal — a direct theft from Minnesota students who fall into horrible debt to pay tuition. In addition to obscene salaries, lavish pensions are awarded to administrators — “richer than the average” university employee. It’s high time to vote out the politicians who allowed this travesty to happen.

RICHARD BOROTZ, Chanhassen

• • •



The U ranks 68th on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best national universities. It ranks seventh in its relevant peer group — the original Big Ten — and the president’s salary is third-highest in this group. Given the Byzantine nature of administrative compensation, and the fact that no one seriously considers a correlation between pay and the quality of work for this class of employees, the data suggest a starting place for discussion. Let’s ask some students or debt-laden graduates for their thoughts.

JOHN AMMERMAN, St. Louis Park

• • •

I’m a graduate of the U who cannot thank Carlson enough for being so objective and honest. He is, without a doubt, on the mark.

BILL PLANTE, Edina

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