Bonus turndown long time coming

Budget cuts and tuition raises in the last two years have forced students and faculty to do their part to keep UK on its feet.   Finally,  one of UK’s administrators is taking his turn.  Board of Trustees Executive Chair Mira S. Ball said UK President Lee Todd will turn down his $168,000 bonus citing an “act of solidarity with the university faculty and staff,” according to a Sept. 15 Kernel article.

This decision by Todd was truly the only decision he could have made.  Accepting the bonus would have landed him in thick mud with faculty, staff and students.

At the same time, applauding Todd for his act is not what UK needs right now.

For the last two years Todd has called his bonus part of his base compensation. Now, he is considering that same payment a bonus. Is that because when it’s unfavorable to accept, it’s a bonus and when Todd doesn’t care about public perception, it’s part of his base salary?

Todd accepting a pay cut is just what the other members of UK’s campus have essentially done over the last two years — including students.

While the board froze salaries of faculty and staff last year, students were forced to pay an increase of five-percent tuition.

What about the 12 staff members who lost their jobs in the past year?

What about the faculty who have not received a cost of living raise in two years that will nod their heads together and say that it’s about time the leader of this university felt their pain?

Todd’s base salary of $304,010 is still more than most faculty and staff members, but his act of not accepting his bonus is purely symbolic. Todd doesn’t need the money. The faculty, staff and students who are the foundation for this university do.  So instead of putting the almost $170,000 back into the general fund, why doesn’t UK hire back some of the staff members it let go?

That action would truly be a reason for celebration.