South Australian VC Salaries
This article appeared in today's Advertiser newpaper, talking about the salaries of Vice-Chancellors at South Australian Universities.
There is a poll question too - Should university bosses be paid more than the PM? Please vote and have your say.
You may also be interested in this article from the UK Guardian newspaper, reporting a similar situation in British universities.



Comments
[ 0 ] @ Lucas, Flinders University has NOT improved. Staff morale is at an all time low. Flinders reputation in the national stakes has dropped, and $25m was embezzled under Barbers watch. Continuing budget cuts and job freezes have turned loyal employees into resentful, overworked employees, and this effects students and their education. In what way then has Barber earned his bonus?
Like • Dislike •[ +1 ] The highest paid VC in the UK (Oxford) earns ~A$70,000 less than the VC of Flinders. When South Australian universities have attained the standard and stature of place like Oxford, maybe these salaries would seem less perverse.
Like • Dislike •[ +1 ] If ¼ of the VC’s pay cheque went to the sustainability office, the overall University would benefit in the long run. As it stands they can’t even afford a 3rd staff member.
Like • Dislike •[ +1 ] Wow, the university staff teaching the students take on extra work for no extra pay and he makes a fortune!
Like • Dislike •[ +1 ] If we agree that universities, similar to primary and secondary schools, are a public good contributing toward the creation of a healthy, fair, democratic society, then our salary structures should reflect this. The pay rate of VCs is simply outrageous.
Like • Dislike •[ -5 ] The VC's live and breathe work so they should be rewarded so. If the organisations performance has improved then why shouldn't they be entitled to a bonus? They are not given the privilege of permanent and ongoing employment so the salary, I'd expect, would account for this. In reality all University jobs should be performance based in the context of the role you're employed.
Like • Dislike •[ +1 ] I just asked the office staff here what they though a VC might get, and of the group, the highest one said possibly $200 grand.
Like • Dislike •[ +2 ] Spot on Jeff. James took a shot at SACE and education in SA one month before he retires. Perhaps he should take a number of shots at the fortified silos within Adelaide Uni. He has decorated the city campus with 'HUBS'. Many students are wondering whether their learning has improved. And the next VC gets a pay rise?
Like • Dislike •[ +12 ] I agree 100% with David Mc. Universities are public education providers. I note from friends and ex-colleagues that lots more go on within the faculties and schools that are shrouded in deception and cover-ups. VCs, DVCs, deans and Assoc deans fly around the country and overseas during semesters and leave work to administrative staff and helpless academics. These workers do not get a pay rise while those appointed through nepotism within the system are getting a raise.
Like • Dislike •We need an independent education quality assurance team to look into work ethics, educational equity and fairness. Good academics are fired for speaking up while 'yes' people are retained and promoted. Public education - what a bluff to those paying taxes.
[ 0 ] Let's not compare a University like Adelaide with BHP until the latter has a Senior Management reporting structure similar to BHP where the CFO, CIO & CMO (key areas in any Business Plan) reports to the CEO thus having key decisions at the top-level. Maybe if the Univesity had a Senior Management structure similar to BHP there wouldn't be so many sub organisations (Faculties) that act as if the entire org revolves around them. I would have thought after 10 years in the job, McWha's primary task would have been to break-down silos and unify the Uni by bold structural changes and measuring performance of Senior Managers and hol;ding them accountable. Now that would have justified his $880000 pay packet.
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