Comments about ‘U. research money helps Utah's economy’

While everybody and their dog seems to have some easy answer to how to cut state funding for the U, the truth of the matter is that the U is far more a net asset to this state than most people realize. Unlike most of the lower level institutions, the U really does largely support itself. At the same time, state funding is essential for both the academic side and the hospital, especially as the hospital is being asked to provide far more indigent care these days.

While I've seen people argue about high faculty salaries, the fact is that the U pays less than many comparable schools for people who bring significant funds into this state and who develop technologies that provide a significant boost to the state's economy. The current cuts are nothing but "penny-wise and pound foolish" as the personnel and infrastructure that will be lost will greatly diminish the long economic prospects for Utah.

Good article! Sadly, we're seeing a brain drain at Utah's top research schools, and the proof is in my own department. A talented colleague has been lured away by an east coast university that is doubling her salary. She's got a track record on pulling in grants, employing students, and now that will be lost to Utah.

Sadly, to replace her, we'll have to find a new, less-experienced research professor and we'll have to pay market rates for that new colleague, which will probably be close to what this exiting colleague will be getting at her new school. Strange irony... if we could only pay our faculty market rates while they're still here, we'd probably retain them!

The forced retirements and layoffs last year already has strained the university system -- many of them teaching-oriented faculty, forcing the researchers to do more teaching. This is driving our top faculty away to better funded institutions.

Universities are the economic engines of a state -- they train the workforce and their research drives technologies and economic development. Continuing to starve the universities is simply myopic!