Harvard puts the pressure on college bureaucrats–and alumni
“For some public universities, Harvard’s move provided a rationale to argue for more state assistance to hold the line on student costs. Robert J. Birgeneau, chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, where total costs are roughly $25,000, said, ‘My intention, frankly, is to use the Harvard announcement to try to exert pressure on the government of California to increase resources for financial aid.’ “
I’m sorry, but anyone seeking to squeeze “the government of California” when we should all know that “the wallet of California” is US, state taxpayers, is at best disingenuous, if not an absolute idiot.
Also, the idea that California state schools of higher education can equalize the playing field without overwhelming alumni and other donor commitment and support, commensurate with Harvard’s, is likewise either trying to score points with some constituency, or an imbecile.
One needn’t look far to see why college costs escalate so fast.
Berkeley chancellor’s perks raise eyebrows
Oakland Tribune, Feb 22, 2006 by Michelle Maitre, STAFF WRITER
“… University records show that Birgeneau made $417,843 in total compensation in the 2004-05 fiscal year, his first on the job. The figure includes $313,183 in base salary, the relocation allowance [$97,500, read the article for actuals and incidentals] and a $7,160 auto allowance. He also receives $19,500 a year in deferred compensation…
“In November 2005, Birgeneau and other UC executives received a 2.5 percent raise, which took his annual salary to $400,000…”
Someone make sure the chancellor hears about the deficit predicted by UCLA at $10.6B, $14B by the state Department of Finance.
Harvard’s Aid to Middle Class Pressures Rivals
By JONATHAN D. GLATER
Published: December 29, 2007
Just days after Harvard University announced this month that it would significantly expand financial aid to students from families earning as much as $180,000 a year, William G. Durden, president of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., got a query from a student’s father, asking whether the college would follow Harvard’s lead.
“He even said, ‘I know this costs a lot of money, but you should do it anyway,’ ” Dr. Durden said. The president replied that Dickinson, a small liberal arts college where the full annual cost of tuition, fees, room and board nears $45,000, did not have the money to match Harvard’s largess…