Rumored salary for Schmidt draws ire of faculty

[spils84]

Yeah, I am sure when Mr. Watson and Sr. Margaret sat down to discuss this, they said "Make sure we consider what Saint Francis would have done in a situation like this."

This is a business decision, and one that is done in the best interests of the university. It wouldn't be the first time that some professors got their noses out of joint, and it won't be the last. Mr. Watson has done what he was hired to do, i.e. make a decision that will move Bonas forward. Enough with the second guessing.

[sburizz]

It wasn't that they haven't gotten raises in the last 10 years it was that they haven't gotten raises in the last 2 years.

[bonarealist]

um spils, yes, that is a mantra that has been repeated for years by whoever has been in charge...that's the whole "franciscan values" thing that's constantly thrown around. obviously, fairly compensating the backbone of the university -- the professors who teach..without professors and students there would be no SBU. I know what the market is, I got that. It's just disturbing that faculty members are getting screwed.

[garf]

I understand that Bona faculty should be fairly compensated. But do Franciscan values deal with money, salary and a basketball coach making more than a professor? I seem to remember values such as being grateful, being optimistic, being generous with your time and talent. As Spils84 commented, it was a business decision.

[ltbf]

One thing to consider is why are faculty attracted to SBU? Whatever their response is, they made the choice.

[unclefrosty]

hey sburizz, sorry about that, I thought I had read no raises in 10 years, not 2 years, thanks for the heads up

My question about "is it Franciscan ?" was pointed at Admins saying "we are poor, we have no cash, we have no money, we cannot give you a raise because we don't have any money" and picture in your head a Friar with his pockets turned out to show he has no money, yet then they suddenly have $150,000 extra to give to the basketball coach, so my thought is wouldn't it be more Franciscan (honest) to say "We have money, but we are choosing not to give it to you." With the decision they made this is what they have done, but what they have said and what they have done seem to be different, am I the only one that sees that as unFranciscan ? (just from the outside this is how it looks to me, for all I know Sista Marge could have told the faculty, "we have cash and we are not giving it to you, deal with it") To me there is a marked difference between the two ways, one is honest and one is dishonest

[bonarealist]

garf: yes of course franciscan values deal with money and how people are treated (paid) in society. for a university that espouses FV's every chance it gets, there should be, as unclefrosty points out, at least some honesty.

and because the faculty AND staff have not received raises in two years makes it OK? Because they missed a year of increases makes it just fine? I would argue that the faculty and staff need to be paid fairly, and if that means taking some cash away from athletics, then so be it. How does $150,000/year become magically available?

and why the bad vibe toward the professors by so many people on this board? they are not just little tree ornaments to adore while SBU participates in college basketball. They are the most important non-students on campus at any university and they should be respected.

[clubber]

They all have choices, no one is making them stay at Bonas. If it's so bad leave. If they are all so great there must be plenty of opportunities elsewhere. Who is responsible for 20% of the freshman class leaving?

[spils84]

I for one didn't mean to imply that professors shouldn't be respected. But as men/women of learning, they should be able to understand their place in this university, and that the money spent on the basketball program has the potential to yield a greater good for Bonas.

[garf]

If respect=pay, then the failure to get raises could be seen as a lack of respect. I'll defer to Franciscan scholars as to whether that focus on pay and raises falls under Franciscan Values. The point on honesty in dealing with faculty seems a lot more on point to those values.

I have no idea if the total compensation packages for Bona professors is on par with similar level institutions, or if it is more than or less than other schools. As I said earlier, the faculty should be compensation fairly.

It is far easier to look at what other coaches at similar institutions are getting.

[donniesbu82]

The market drives the salaries. If these profs think they deserve more than they should look elsewhere like everyone else does. If they aren't happy at Bonas they can always leave.

[bonarealist]

more disrespect for the profs from some people. why would we want good people -- the backbone of the university -- to leave? don't you think they would have left for more money? but most haven't because they love the university so much that they stay.

there were so many people on this board who demanded that the new head coach share a passion for bona's, they he be a true bona person, etc. well, we have a whole cadre of those people TEACHING at SBU at some of you dismiss them and say they should go find a new job.

unbelievable.

[cook]

I believe that Bonas should pay the bball coach about what they are, but not gauranteed for seven years. But they should also be paying the profs better also. Especially if their program is bringing in more students. Bonas has the money if they want to give it.

Bball should start with defense first, then offense. I'm concerned that the new coach will try to do the same as AS. JB did it the right way, starting with defense. Hopefully, JB won't take most of the Bona recruits like he has the last three years though, according to rivals.

[jh]

We are not asking the faculty to understand this at St Bonas...we are asking the faculty to understand this at every major university in the country.
Bonarealist the basketball coach is not another 'faculty member' like he might be in high school....he is more a part of the marketing campaign/ strategy of the university that will hopefully result in more students coming here for the faculty to teach !!!
Any business that hits troubled times will freeze current salaries and increase investment in marketing (hoops coach).

[alumnussbu]

That everyone be paid a fair wage for his/her labor should be the backbone of the compensation policy at SBU. I kinda thought this was a given in light of the major revamping of salary policies at Catholic institutions across the country some years ago..... once ranks of the religious started drying up along with all their free labor.

The one thing that I'll hand to Sister Margaret is that she inherited a disaster. Every area of SBU needs (ed).... a major fix....from athletics...to facilities....to academics....to enrollment....to student life, etc. etc.. Athletics,facilities and enrollment just couldn't wait any longer and absolutely had to be taken care of. Academics, including compensation, need to be next on the list. Student life is a major disaster just waiting to happen. With SBU's party school atmosphere and reputation it is just a matter of time before something very serious happpens that will give SBU a black eye.

The best source of funding for academic raises is an increase in enrollment. I see in the BV where that is likely to happen this year. All I can say is that the hard work and strict accountability in the enrollment area needs to be maintained. There is no reason why SBU can't have a full time undergraduate enrollment of 2,500....and shoot for 3,000 as a goal.