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Bad Time For Big Bonuses

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 13, 2009

It's dismaying that University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft, at a time when universities are facing major budget cuts, would approve generous bonuses for four high-level, high-salaried employees.

It's also discouraging that no one either on her staff or on USF's Board of Trustees would advise her to consider how the bonuses would look to taxpayers, many of whom have seen both their retirement accounts and job security evaporate during the recession.

Genshaft and the trustees needlessly presented potent ammunition to their critics among faculty and staff.

The decision makes the administration look out of touch and diverts attention from the many accomplishments being made at USF.

As the Tribune's Lindsay Peterson reported, since fall 2007, the state Legislature has cut roughly $52 million from USF's budget, about 15 percent.

The university responded by eliminating 450 staff and nontenured faculty jobs. Although most of those positions were already unfilled, about 70 people lost their positions.

It matters little that the four bonuses - ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 - were given to hardworking employees who have taken on extra responsibilities.

Marshall Goodman, head of USF Polytechnic in Lakeland, Cynthia Visot, Genshaft's chief of staff, community relations director Les Miller and chief technology officer Michael Pearce are well regarded.

But awarding the bonuses gives the impression there are notable exceptions to the university's austerity efforts.

During these difficult times, that is not a message the university wants to send to faculty, lawmakers or the public.

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