Expanding the chancellor’s challenge

A week ago, I wrote an editorial in this newspaper asking Chancellor Mark Nordenberg to return… A week ago, I wrote an editorial in this newspaper asking Chancellor Mark Nordenberg to return some – or all – of his recent $122,500 raise. The request was made in light of recent 14 percent tuition hikes and layoffs reportedly caused by University budget tightening. In return, I offered, I would donate the same percentage of my own salary as editor in chief.

I suggested the combined donation could be used to endow a scholarship or bring back a beloved staff member.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published a version of this column on Thursday, where I reaffirmed my offer to donate money toward improving student and staff lives here at Pitt.

And the response to both articles has been tremendous. I received more than two dozen e-mails on Thursday from people I’ve never met. Many of those people were staff members who praised me for speaking up for them. Some of those staff members were handed 1 or 2 percent raises this year, and were told the University simply couldn’t afford more right now.

“Many of the staff’s wages border on poverty,” one long-time Pitt administrator wrote.

Another e-mail was from a woman who lost her job in October. The reason: budget cutbacks.

The amount of response I received to Thursday’s editorial was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. No more than 10 minutes would pass between each appreciative e-mail. Though the e-mails came from people of all different backgrounds and stations in life, they had a common thread. Every person who wrote me was angered at the increasing focus on wealth in education. And almost every person told me not to give up.

And then, a woman from North Versailles wrote to me. “Bravo, Dave. I’m 34 years old, did not go to college, but the raise Mark Nordenberg received pissed me off! Keep at him!”

I’m taking her advice. Huge spending increases to pay administrators better simply can’t be the right solution for a University under such financial duress.

Why it’s important

So I’m nowhere near done. I’ve enlisted several other current and former students to join me in my pledge: to donate a portion of their own salary only if the chancellor will return a portion of his.

Every one of these leaders acknowledges the impressive work that Chancellor Nordenberg has done in eight years here. But they also know that times are tough for students struggling to pay rising tuition, and staff members struggling to make it on stagnant salaries.

If the chancellor accepts this challenge, the money raised will be donated to Pitt Program Council’s Endowed Book Fund. That fund yields interest in the form of yearly book scholarships, given to students who might not otherwise be able to pay for them. It will continue to benefit students here forever.

And the chancellor should accept this challenge. As the leader of this University, you have to set an example for everyone to follow. And “everyone” includes everyone: From top-level administrators who also received $50,000 bonuses, to students who must learn the importance of making education affordable to everyone.

Certainly, the chancellor didn’t give himself this raise. That directive came from the Board of Trustees, who reasoned that Mark Nordenberg is worth retaining. And he is. But so are his staff, many of whom have received 1 and 2 percent pay raises in recent years. To accept a raise of this magnitude in a time of cutbacks is simply setting a bad example.

Signing on

I would love to add names to this list. Please e-mail me at editor@pittnews.com if you’d like to pledge a donation. It doesn’t need to be 14 percent of your salary – it can be any amount you can spare for a good cause. The names and amounts will be published in subsequent issues of The Pitt News.

And if Chancellor Nordenberg takes us up on this offer, the benefit to students will be amazing.