University Heads Refuse Cuts

by Dave Sat Sep 19, 2009 18:45

I think we need to be very circumspect with regard to anything we read in the [capitalist owned] media these days. There is a huge amount of anger at the extent to which our incomes are being reduced to fund the gambling failures of the banks/developers/Fianna Fail. And just as the media have been up to their necks in the gambling (e.g. inflating the property market with the help of the property 'journalists') so now they are busy trying to redirect people's anger at targets which are ultimately red herrings. People's powder should be kept dry and directed at a more fundamental root and branch clear out of the current corrupt system. This involves concentrating on building positive alternatives!

by Uneducated Sat Sep 19, 2009 20:20

well at least they are educated qualified people. Some of the charlies that represent us at government and european level get similar salaries but have no qualifications at all for the job they are doing. Also remember the fiasco where the science advisor to the government and ex GM company employee(!!) got his degree over the internet. when found out he just got shuffled off to somewhere else to continue lobbying for his GM connections.

The current university system has been well infiltrated by business and corporate interests. It's essentially externalising R&D to the taxpayers and also acting as part of the job selection process.The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake is no longer the priority.

by Educator Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:57

Another aspect of university pay that needs to be examined is that of full professors who earn €150,000 per year. Many of them do next to no teaching and spend their time on petty university politics, I don't often agree with Batty O'K but I would welcome his promised "forensic" examination of the higher echelons of the universities, all the officers, presidents and senior professors in particular.
The wastage at this level, the ridiculous amount of offices on Quality Assurance that is simply a paper exercise etc. while staff are not allowed to photocopy material for the students. Junior staff as carrying the can for these professors who think it is below them to carry out any ordinary duties at all. They should be forced to take sabbatical leave and have 35% of their salaries taken to have them replaced. The money is not there to retire them all unfortunately. Many of them contribute to little that they might as well be on sabbatical leave ...

by Fred Johnston Tue Sep 22, 2009 13:53

Nonetheless, one can't help wondering why students, so concerned about fee-hikes, are not also engaged with this little sinecure business.

by Illiterate. Tue Sep 22, 2009 14:07

"Well at least they are educated qualified people."

I dunno...

I think Samuel Beckett got it right:

"Dublin University contains the cream of Ireland – rich and thick."
.

by Banquo Wed Sep 23, 2009 13:40

The Connacht Sentinel newspaper in Galway reports today, Tuesday, that NUIGalway President, Dr James Browne, "has ignored a call from Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe to take a voluntary pay cut on his significant salary." Clearly not referring to anyone in the Fianna Fáil Party, the Minister had said that "One would have expected that people in such senior positions would do the right thing." But surely the Minister must know that doing 'the right thing' is neither part of our culture nor our Irish psyche? It is completely foreign to us. But it is notable that The Connacht Sentinel takes a less than reverential tone in its remarks about NUIGalway's President. Perhaps the old ways are changing.

The newspaper reports that, while the Union of Students in Ireland has attacked the various university presidents for their cuts refusals, the good old NUI Students' Union has kept a shut mouth: worse, they even back the President's refusal, saying that he was within his rights to refuse the cut.

This bending over to the Establishment in Galway's university can perhaps be put down to the ongoing utter conservatism of the predominantly rural student population who haven't hopped far from home. Reading Che Guevara at the farm's Sunday dinner table before catching the 'bus back to the evil city of Galway simply isn't on. But conservatism runs in the history of NUIGalway's student union and it's hardly likely to change.

Ironically, the Students Who Dare Not Protest have lost the support of the university for their Rag Week, which was slammed this year for its drinking around town and general misbehaviour even by Galway gardaí; so much so that plans are afoot for a strictly on-campus bash next year. Getting pissed and out of hand seems preferable to harbouring a social conscience.

It's hard to understand how any university worth its salt could provide succour to such a cowed and tamed bunch of students. God help us if any of them ever go into politics. Certainly cutting the over-inflated salaries of a privileged few will not be high on their social agenda. Unsurprisingly, this university is based in the city that gave us the notorious 'Galway Races Tent,' of which Fianna Fáil made such good use.

by Pete Wed Sep 23, 2009 17:57

"The Connacht Sentinel newspaper in Galway reports today, Tuesday, that NUI Galway President, Dr James Browne, "has ignored a call from Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe to take a voluntary pay cut on his significant salary."

James Browne is a humble employee of the Irish Taxpayer.

It is up to Batt O'Keefe to TELL Browne what the Irish taxpayer is going to pay him.

(Most people in Galway.....never mind the world... never heard of Dr. James Browne.
Such is his.........MAGNIFICENCE............in World Civilisation.)
.

by cheeba Wed Sep 23, 2009 21:26

From the ST university league table;

STUDENT VIEW

Donna Cummins, students’ union president:

First impressions There’s a wonderful atmosphere, brimming with activity.
Worst feature A lack of parking on campus.
Facilities No shortage of entertainment on offer.
Deal clincher Sport clubs and societies ensure that everyone can get involved.

So what is most enraging the NUIGSU is the lack of parking...

Hmmm, must agree with all posters above.

by Louis the Last Sat Sep 26, 2009 19:36

Seems to me the USI have no right to protest against the introduction of fees if they won't say something about this little game.

by Fred Johnston Sun Sep 27, 2009 16:07

Dozens of NUIGalway academics have signed a YES petition published in local newspapers. Is this university the most conservative in the country?

by Sid the Stoodent Mon Sep 28, 2009 13:30

And on top of the comfortable quarter million euro per annum one must not forget:

- The Des Res: an on-site, all-services included, fully furnished and maintained home well beyond the means of most ordinary mortals, including (one has to add) people on a mere quarter million;

- The Company Car: not just a vehicle, but a driver too, and overnight accomodation for both when travelling any further than Dunnes Stores;

- The Home Plan: I doubt anyone has added the amounts each University President has gleefully expended on the massive refurbishment of their own homes, ultimately at taxpayer expense, whilst in office;

- The Family and Friends Tariff: free travel and accommodation for the more desirable outings;

- The Tax Break: well no tax on the above for starters, but also add in all the deductibles when your home is your primary place of work;

- Nice Little Earners: like a few directorships, Opera House patrons' passes, etc.

In the case of Trinners, I would guess you could double the basic package with all these extras. And some of these Very Important Presidents also happen to be eligible for a free bus pass, but I doubt they bother.

by Hurler in the Ditch Mon Sep 28, 2009 19:31

So why is NUIGalway's SU so silent? This is the university that gets more money than God thrown at it because it is an 'Irish-Language' University yet cuts the hours for its Irish language courses? The university that, far too late, gave the late great poet, Máirtín O Direáin a writers' residency while ignoring him for years? The Lit & Deb can have all the someday lawyers and architects jumping up and down shouting 'Point of Order!' and making out like their in the real world, but not one of them will raise a voice in these times of recession when seven university presidents give the finger to any suggestion that they should cut their enormous salaries.

by Bardo Sun Oct 11, 2009 15:14

So why has this story gone away? central issue - why don't the students' union at NUIGalway make a statement about this?