Caret's Carrot

Now you know why tuition rates are skyrocketing, kids. 

"A pricey - and familiar - perk for new UMass head; Year’s sabbatical after 5 on the job" February 04, 2012| By Todd Wallack and Mary Carmichael, Globe Staff

The University of Massachusetts has promised its new president, Robert Caret, a sabbatical of up to one year at his full presidential salary when he steps down, a controversial perk like the one awarded to his predecessor, Jack Wilson.

In addition, UMass is considering providing similar sabbaticals to outgoing chancellors of the UMass campuses, a benefit university officials called common in academia but that appears to be more generous than is offered by many other public colleges.... 

It's sad to see greed overtake this particular institution, although it is one hell of an education.

Caret earns $425,000, but his contract, signed last year, calls for raises of $25,000 in each of the next two years.

The contract also provides for a $60,000 housing allowance, a $63,750 retirement annuity, an additional $250,000 in deferred compensation set aside over the next three years, and annual performance bonuses of up to 15 percent of his salary.... 

Details of Caret’s deal, on top of Wilson’s, are sparking complaints among faculty, students, and some lawmakers.

“At a time when students and parents are struggling to pay tuition and fees, these salaries are another example of misplaced priorities,’’ said Tess George, an adjunct professor at UMass Lowell. “The difference between these payouts and the salaries earned by adjunct faculty is astounding.’’

Ya think?

Caret said that the package is justified.

“Given the facts, reasonable people understand that sabbaticals are earned as part of a compensation package,’’ he said Thursday. “They are not a gift.’’

“Leaders and their teams generate hundreds of millions of critical nonstate dollars,’’ he added. “I understand the concerns, but the alternative is worse - mediocre leadership that will not provide the institutions we need and desire… . Do I have a sensitivity about this issue? Yes. Apologies? No.’’

He added that his two previous employers, Towson University in Maryland and San Jose State University in California, also offered him the perk....

I truly believe the people at the top of society are sick.

UMass has defended the sabbaticals, largely on the basis of a report commissioned by a private compensation consultant who compared its practices with those of 16 other universities....

“We have reviewed these matters in depth and are confident that the compensation provided to our top administrative leaders is in the mainstream and is directly comparable to the compensation received by administrators at other major public universities across the nation,’’ said James Karam, chairman of the UMass board of trustees. “With all of the challenges that public universities now face, institutions like UMass need to be able to attract and retain skillful, creative leaders.’’  

Aren't you sick of hearing such sophistry?

But a Globe survey of 30 major public universities and systems that UMass typically compares itself with or those in states with a similar population found that yearlong sabbaticals at presidential pay are not the norm....  

So the school just lied to you?

--more--" 

Related: UMass leaders among state's top earners

Pigs at the State Trough

You Screwed By UMass

That's where they are giving you the carrot, kids.