Re: UAA: Exciting Things Ahead!
Since I think it indirectly affects part of the university system that we all thoroughly enjoy, please take a moment to consider signing the petition against UA President Gamble's extravagent financial bonus that the Board of Regents recently awarded. In a time where budgets on both campus' are getting increasingly more tight, and where both university's Athletic Departments are going to be under greater scrutiny financially, this is not a smart move on the part of the system and it could be a factor impacting our student-athletes down the road.
And to be politically correct, I included information from both Anchorage's and _airbanks' newspapers
"Six-figure bonus for UA president raises eyebrows amid budget cuts"
"Gamble’s performance doesn’t justify bonus"
Sign the petition here!
Here is what I just sent to the UA Regents, the UA Prez and Veep, the three Chancellors, the UA Foundation and the Guv. Although I am now living in Colorado, after 30+ years in AK, I still keep up with the local news and, of course, still follow the Woofies... As an alumnus, I find the Board's actions totally unacceptable.
Dear University of Alaska Board of Regents Members,
As a proud alumnus of UAA and a long-time contributor to the UAA Foundation, Engineering Department and Hockey Booster Club, I am outraged by the decision to provide an excessively large bonus to University President Gamble during these times of budget cuts and fiscal restraint at all other levels of the University. As UA students struggle to make ends meet to fund their education and the UA staff is faced with dwindling resources to accomplish the educational goals of the University, the person in charge gets a six-figure bonus. How can this scenario possibly make sense?
According to information on the Board of Regents web site, "The UA Board of Regents has officially adopted the Shaping Alaska’s Future initiative as board policy". Theme 5 in this document is entitled "Accountability to the People of Alaska" and includes the following "issue statements" that need to be addressed to keep UA current and competitive in the future:
To adapt to the changing educational environment, UA needs to have "widespread faculty and staff support, commitment and leadership at every level."
"Alaska's forecasted fiscal conditions will increase expectations of the UA Board of Regents, legislators and other community leaders that UA will further address revenue generation, cost-effectiveness and cooperation across the UA system."
"...employee effectiveness and morale depend upon their own personal experiences when they need assistance from another employee or group within the university."
"Deferred maintenance is the UA Board of Regents' first capital priority because the risk posed by the backlog is unacceptable."
Providing a six-figure bonus for the University President at this time is completely inconsistent with the Board's stated goals to improve cost-effectiveness and address deferred maintenance projects. In addition, it undermines staff morale, as evidenced by commentary from many staff members in the local media. Leadership is certainly not emanating from the top. $320,000 would go a long way towards any of the above goals.
To be blunt, I find this action to be arrogant, elitist, fiscally irresponsible and a gross misuse of public funds. Consequently, I will not make any further contributions to the University of Alaska at any level until the Board reverses this decision and shows that it intends to act in a manner that is first and foremost responsible to the students and educational system at the University of Alaska.
Tom "thumb", PE, PMP
MS Arctic Engineering, 1996
(full address and contact information here)
