Reader comments
College presidents well paid in Utah

U Alumnus | 5:46 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I guess nobody is outraged at University Presidents' high salary like they were for the high salary of the BSA executives. I'm not sure I understand the difference. Tax dollars, rather than voluntary contributions, support Dr. Young. (As well as all those tuition dollars I paid!)

I'm not bitter or upset about Young's salary (probably ought to receive more), but I just think it's interesting that no cheap-skate, mean spirited comments have been posted about this while there are over 400 comments about the BSA salaries.

Wayne Rout | 6:59 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Too well paid, too little accountable.

Wisc | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I'm disappointed in the Deseret News, first a completely pointless article on the salaries of scouting executives and then another completely pointless article on the salaries of university presidents. Quit trying to stir up controversy where there is none. Try and find something that is actually newsworthy to report on.

Comments continue below

IM | 8:23 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Good for them! I think that our higher education guys need the money that they deserve. We ALL want our universities to run smoothly and therefore need to pay for the best.

Meanwhile... | 8:40 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Students everywhere are priced out of secondary education so schlubs like Mike Young and others can sit in their posh offices and soak up a fat paycheck for doing relatively nothing to improve the quality of education.

intertesting | 8:47 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

It is interesting to me that College presidents receive high salaries yet no one seems to be outraged by this. Recently, many were outraged by the high salaries of some scouting executives. The scouting executives receive their salaries from donations. State College employees receive their pay from state taxes and high tuition. Why the double standard? Could we find people who could run our colleges cheaper? Probably. Should we? Absolutely not! It would cheapen our educational experience. Likewise we should not cut salaries of scouting professionals. It would cheapen the scouting movement.

I also find it interesting that so many LDS church members were quick to criticize the boy scouts for compensating their employees, but say nothing when the LDS church does not disclose how much they pay their employees in higher education. What about full disclosure for non-profit organizations? Again, a double standard.

Perhaps a lot of it has to do with the slanted way that the Des News reported the scouting story, and then the more positive way in which the college presidentï¿½s salary story was reported.

I see the value of both programs and believe we should pay well to get the best.

me | 8:49 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I don't think this is too much to pay for a University President. He could make much more with his training in private practice. I know of a local dentist that makes more. The gap between the rich and poor seems to be getting bigger.

Another U Alum | 8:55 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I love how the article has to point out that the salary is "well above average" as if it is a bad thing. Dr. Young also has well above average education level and responsibilities. Pay him $37K per year and see what kind of president we get. It is not a bad thing that they earn a lot of money, they work hard and deserve that kind of compensation. If they do a bad job, do you think it would be tolerated?

Just Wondering... | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Does the Deseret News like stirring up conflict? If these people were doing nothing & receiving outrageous paychecks, then we should get upset. Otherwise, if they are doing their jobs well, and within comprable pay amounts of their peers, why create contraversy?

Ned | 9:01 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I suppose the difference is that people feel most of the dollars they donate to the Boy Scouts should be going directly to the boys and the facilities needed to run their programs, not an executive paycheck that is well beyond what it takes to live comfortably. The revelation of such a sum probably makes them wonder what else their intended money is not being used for. Whether or not it is deserved is another matter, and I do not begrudge it them if they earn it by the hard work they put in. But I can see where the difference lies in the reaction engendered by these two stories.

Different from BSA | 9:26 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I'm not upset by either one of their salaries. The thing that bothers most people about the scout stuff was that it is a somewhat forced contribution through the friends of scouting that contributes to the salary. Then they ask or call people to volunteer their time to fulfill the job.

I know you can argue taxes are forced as well but it is a different feeling to the whole thing.

I am interested to see if their will be any fallout. I don't think we can blame the one guy for the failure of the system.

To me, I say get as much salary at whatever job you are doing. Just make sure you are doing a great job and earning it.

prairedog | 9:58 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

That's the great thing about capitalism, whatever the markets will pay, even if it is tax funded! Being a university perfesser myself, I know how hard many of these administrators work (and I don't aspire to be one of them). The further you move up in society or employment, the better the perks. That's just the way it is. Apparently, that's the case in Boy Scouts too. Same goes for professional sports... however, I quit watching them because it's all about the individual prima dona and how much salary they can draw in. There's no team allegiance anymore. I grew up an avid Yankees fan, but now, who cares? I'd rather see the little guys win (or watch college and high school sports).

Will Thomas | 10:28 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Why should we be concerned or outraged with the salaries of our universities' presidents? How can this be even worthy of conversation when the amount the athletic programs are spending on coaches, etc, are beyond belief? Without the leadership of the university, athletics would not be even a consideration. The University of Utah has a true contributor to society with a Nobel prize winner and I would be willing to bet he receives not even close to what Coach Whittingham gets for compensation. The real issue here is why we place so much emphasis on things like sports when true employees for the state that actually make a difference don't get the compensation that is commiserate with their contribution to society. I think the salaries should actually be better considering the minds that are being influenced by the university rather than a few on the football team.

Mark | 10:32 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

This is an incomplete news article. Why did the writer not include the salaries of the Weber State and Utah State presidents? Those are also major public universities in the Beehive State.
Just curious.

John Doe | 10:38 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

There is little doubt that executives of higher education are highly compensated, as are executives in many different non-profit organizations ranging from Churches to charities.

And there is an ongoing debate about the ethics of such disproportionate compensation - the huge gap between the compensation of those "in the trenches" and those in the executive offices.

Forbes reported in 2004, "The heads of America's 500 biggest companies received an aggregate 54% pay raise last year. As a group, their total compensation amounted to $5.1 billion, versus $3.3 billion in fiscal 2003."

This gap is a measure of social stratification and instability as the gap between the rich and the poor increases to levels that begin to stimulate disenfranchisement among lower classes, calls for reform, rebellion, and ultimately revolution.

Most Christians generally, and active LDS in particular, understand that this fundamental human inequality is not consistent with the doctrines of Jesus. The repugnance they feel when reading about overpaid Scout leaders is a trustworthy ethical sensibility that should not be ignored. As a "lower class" of society, we must be ever vigilant in monitoring those in (economic & organizational) power over us to ensure human equality is not lost.

Floopster | 11:15 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I would like the Deseret News to print how much Lee Davidson and Lara Hancock make each year. I'd like to know how much they're making for writing such drivel.

East Coast | 11:22 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

For those that think this is a big conspiracy by the Deseret Morning News to stir things up, our local news organizations (not right on the East Coast but very close) are also carrying the university president compensation stories right now. I'm not sure why it's a mid-November story, but it's not just the Deseret Morning News.

Dave | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I'm glad someone earns a good salary, including in higher ed. Competition exists at the college level and in order for the "U" to maintain and improve its status requires a quality person at the helm.

What does the Deseret News want? Higher taxes on the wealthy (I think so)? All of us wearing fatigues and working for the same Chinese salary?

Looks to me like the Deseret News is trying to stir up a little class envy just prior to elections.

walkon | 11:49 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I had no idea scouting executives made that much money. I knew , approximately, how much the presidents made. I am finished with friends of scouting! I'm going to the scouting store and buying a 50 dollar gift certificate and giving it to our scoutmaster. I will also include a gift certificate to a local eatery to this man who practically works full time for zilch.

Raymond Takashi Swenson | 11:54 a.m. Nov. 13, 2007

If Mike Young were out in private practice as an attorney, he could easily command more than $330,000 a year as a partner in a major law firm or as general counsel for a corporation. Anyone who was a highly ranked graduate of Harvard Law School, who clerked for the Supreme Court, who held an ambassador-rank job in the State Department, who is an expert on Japan, could be making twice that amount as a senior partner in an international law firm. Some of the senior partners in the Salt Lake offices of national law firms make $300,000 a year.

Mike Young earns many times his salary by bringing donations, grants and endowments to the University of Utah, a skill he practiced as Dean of George Washington University Law School and head of the Japanese Law program at Columbia University. He works long hours on behalf of the University. And his skill in representing the University in the larger community absolutely shines next to the record of some of his predecessors.

Charles H | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

I just want to know how the salary compares to that paid to the head football or basketball coach.

We fund what we value.

I wonder what we REALLY value in our schools and colleges.

We often hear about the lack of textbooks or lab equipment. I've never heard of a football team lacking for equipment.

u grad | 1:02 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

why do we complain about the salaries of our education leadership and do nothing to raise the pay of the teachers and instructors who do so much of the work?

Dave | 2:06 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Regarding those of you who are "no longer friends of scouting," I suspect you've never been friends of scouting and are using the Deseret News' ploy to vent your hatred for the program.

Understand, the Deseret News wasn't necessary trying to stir up anti-scouting sentiments (though they don't like the program anymore than you). Rather, they're playing the class card to get the lower classes bitter towards those who make more than them. It's an old socialist game to garner votes.

The timing of these articles make their motives clear. Next, I suspect there'll be something written (again) about exhorbitant corporate executive pay.

The ignorant masses will then cheer on the candidate (the Deseret News' candidate) who supports higher taxes on the wealthy.

Take from Rich give to Poor | 2:42 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

That's weird, in order to have something done well, you have to pay for it? Do you expect good food off of a dollar menu? Why would anybody do anything well if there wasn't a reward. How many doctors would we have if they didn't have higher salaries, etc.

I know some people think these people should do stuff simply out of the goodness of their hearts. That's nice of them to offer others' services for free, but then they are not the ones that made the years of effort and sacrifice to be the very best.

Lenin would be proud of DesNews. | 2:46 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Why is the Deseret News stiring up old, ill-fated communist values with these type of stories? I know Utah is a little slow...but come on. The average Utahn making 37k doesn't have a PhD and responsibility for 25,000 college kids.

Socialists like money too | 3:06 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Those crazy socialists are at it again, Dave. Now they have control of the most conservative newspaper in the state, and perhaps the country. Just trying to stir up controversy to garner votes a week after the election? I just hope the socialists haven't gotten to that last bastion of conservative wisdom and insight, Hannity & Colmes.

Every public service | 3:36 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

person should be accountable but if one goes someplace or any wheres in the departments which make up these entities. It gets quite staggering , how some jobs are filled and the justification thereof or dead weitgth, if you will. But in a state such as ours , we must have some people who can solve some of these oversights. The cost is just sky-rocketing for sure.

So | 3:52 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

How much is the DesNews CEO paid? Probably more than I ever got. From the reasoning in this news article and the hit piece on the Scouts, I think there should be an immediate reduction in pay here.

idaho falls | 4:19 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

overpaid! especially when you compare more successfull universities are available to the south

Q | 4:36 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

How much is Kyle Wittingham making this year? $700K in salary plus all the other benefits. We worship our athletics far too much. In my mind, the President of the University should get the highest pay check. The fact is, anyone in America, with the proper training, education and motivation can become wealthy. Quite complaining about high salaries and go better yourself!

Richard | 4:55 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

The criteria for any paid position (scout exec, teacher, professor, CEO, janitor, garbage collector, congressman, president, etc.) should be 1) does the person filling the position bring more value to the organization than what they are being paid, and 2) is there someone else who can fill the position and do just as good a job and is willing to be paid less?

Sometimes it is difficult to quantify just how much value a person brings to an organization. Unfortunately we don't have a crystal ball that looks into a parallel universe so we could compare exactly how an organization would perform with the person vs. without the person.

But just because someone is making more money than you does not mean they are overpaid.

Look at us! | 5:10 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

We're all arm-chair executives and government officials. If only we were as wise and successful in real life as we all appear to be in cyberspace.

Who else is here when they should be working?

AndyG | 5:56 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Sunday when I read the negative comments that resulted from the scouter's salaries article, I wondered about the values and the reasoning of the Utah public. Today's response to the university presidents' salaries is so refreshing. My faith is restored, and I feel that there are clear-thinking, reasonable people in Utah. Thanks.

Karlito | 6:10 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

You anti-sports people out there need to remember that University Athletics is a tremendous marketing tool for the university as a whole, not just the sports programs.

Also, please remember that the stadiums that the football and basketball teams are filling up are bringing in millions of dollars to the athletic departments. Yeah, Whit gets his paycheck from the University, but the universities are getting a whole lot more money from ticket sales than they are paying out in salaries. I guarantee that if the Athletic department has to get funds from outside their budget that there will be significant pressure from the University's administration for the coaches to put a winning product on the field.

Young Produces | 9:53 p.m. Nov. 13, 2007

Major college presidents these days aren't really adminstrators in the traditional sense, they're fundraisers.

Given that it's very easy to judge if a college president is worth his salary by determining how much money he's raised.

I'm not privvy to Michael Young's fundraising numbers, but I'd be very surprised if it was anything less than tens of millions of dollars.

Is it worth $370,000 a year for someone who raises tens of millions a year? I'd make that deal any day.

Lee 'a good ole fox' in Murray | 12:01 a.m. Nov. 14, 2007

I think I'll give up my Deseret New subscription and donate that money to my local Friends of Scouting drive. At least I'd get a patch instead of just liner for my rabbit cage. I wonder how much the
CEO of The Deseret New, The Salt Lake Tribune, Newspaper Agency Corp, KSL, etc make and how many "Reporters" and staff make over $50,000 per year. I'll bet it is a lot more than the handful of Professional Scouters you sighted in your article.

Both our University Presidents and Scout Executives make a very good living, and both would make more elsewhere. I am glad we have very qualified people who are willing to work to bring excellent programs to the people of Utah. Shame on the Deseret New for attempting to insight a backlash against such great institutions.

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