Written by Reader •
Issue: February 9, 2012
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Raises deserving of shame
The powers that be have given themselves some hefty raises and have left the rest of us lowly workers out in the cold. I wonder where the value of ethics comes into play here? We are asked time and time again to do more with less, a cut here a cut there, but don’t cut back on services.
I am disgusted and appalled that I work at an institution run with such disregard for the average middle-class workers and even lower regard for the student population that has to fund these salary raises in order to continue their pursuit of higher education. You should all be ashamed of yourselves and forfeit your ill-gotten raises.
Barbara A. Bogner
Aquatics and Ice Rink Manager, CSW Coordinator
CU-Boulder
3 Responses to Raises deserving of shame
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The University of Colorado system needs to be a model of fair and thoughtful public policy at all times but particularly during periods of financial duress. President Obama has recently suggested that colleges and universities need to examine their financial policies in light of rising student tuition costs. Obviously the story is more complicated than simply tuition increases (as we all know, in Colorado we are getting less and less support from the state). In my opinion, salary increases should be given to faculty, staff and administration, with an eye to overall fairness and particularly to the needs of our lowest paid, whose salaries have not increased much over the last 3 years, rather to our highest paid, who already are most likely not facing much financial stress. I would suggest that our next round of salary increases have the needs of the majority of our hard working staff, faculty (particularly our instructors) and administrators, more in mind. I think we will gain much more support from our students (who will become our alumni) and from our other fellow citizens with financial policies that are fairer to all of our dedicated employees, not just to the already highest paid.
I sure give Barbara a high five in her comment. I feel even more devastated about the hefty raises those who gave themselves or who had a hand in getting them to whoever. I sure could have used a raise right before I lost my home this past year. It hurts my heart that I had to do more with less to a degree I lost what most have and cherish. I know it’s not their fault I lost my house, but when you have to hear “you do more with less” and it doesn’t pertain to all who work in the same community, and you know you have not had a raise in about 12 years, it’s hard to swallow the obvious. The obvious being we are all not created equal. My hat is off to you, Barbara, thank you for your comment — without it my blood may have not boiled and I would have not have made my comment heard…..
I have worked in the classified system since 2005 and transferred to CU in 2007. I have not received a merit raise while at CU during that time. I did receive a salary survey increase due to CU not paying all equivalent staff the same. PERA took that away by increasing their share required from the employee. In addition, all my basic utilities, food and expenses have increased enormously. I don’t have cable or internet due to these services being too expensive. I ride the bus to work since it isn’t affordable for me to pay the $528 parking fees.
I have worked 30 years in my field and am a dedicated employee. If I continue to stay a classified employee I will soon reach the poverty level at the rate my pay is shrinking compared to how the basic expenses and necessities to live have increased. In other words my pay rate has been sliding backwards since I became a classified employee.
The way most classified employees are getting raises is by job hopping in the system and the University. This poses a big problem to those of us that really love our job! But it is a sad reality since it takes the University almost 2 years for a new employee to become competent in their new position. This is lowering the efficiency in the affected department when there also are numerous positions that have not been replaced. This puts a burden on the remaining employees to try to maintain standards. Ultimately, the student is affected by not receiving the best possible services that could be available to them.
During this time period, Faculty, Administrators and Professional Exempt have received numerous merit raises. The Administration said it was necessary to be able to retain them and to keep them from looking elsewhere for more money especially if they wanted to keep the best. Now, I hear of the upper Administration getting considerable raises that were out of line with the rest of the University.
I am really sad and believe that upper management needs to make some major changes to how the system works when it considers raises. Please, I implore you to look at this more closely and with it being the highest priority!!! Please wake up and look at the whole picture of what you are doing to the University as a whole. We don’t want to be another Rome!