Presumably, sometime between the Board of Trustees’ training on open government laws this Thursday and before they leave Athens, the board members will revote on Ohio University President Roderick McDavis’ bonus and pay raises totaling $78,400.
After its last meeting in November, the board told The Columbus Dispatch it would not move forward with the raises until it had an opportunity to take a public vote. Though I could not find it on the agenda for its meeting this week, it is not out of the question for the board to take a surprise vote (read: McDavis’ bonus in August).
The board will likely see voting on McDavis’ compensation as a matter of procedure, but perhaps it should take this occasion to reconsider.
In its narrow worldview, the only way the board seems to know how to operate the university is as if it were a corporation. The board appears comfortable doling out raises and bonuses as if McDavis were the CEO of Ohio University.
But OU is not a corporation; it is a center of higher education.
Compared to other Ohio public-college presidents, McDavis ranks eighth out of 10 in total compensation. That statistic is often cited as a reason to increase McDavis’ salary. Former Student Trustee Allison Arnold once called his low standing “disheartening,” but I disagree. In a twisted sort of way, it is a “point of pride” that McDavis’ lavish compensation of $431,150 is at least not as astronomical as other university presidents’.
Let’s suppose that McDavis did not receive a raise and bonus this year. What would happen? Would he quit?
I doubt it. McDavis is an alumnus of OU and is the state’s longest-standing public university president currently in office. He’s also provided with a hefty salary, occasional bonuses and a house. His wife Deborah McDavis also receives a salary (for doing something, ostensibly).
McDavis could likely find another job elsewhere, but it would at least be a challenge to find one of equal sentimental importance and financial compensation. He received votes of no confidence early in his tenure from both faculty and students, which I can’t imagine is exactly in high demand.
Even if he were to leave, it’s not as if McDavis is irreplaceable. The university would likely have to spend money on a search committee to find a suitable replacement, but McDavis’ tenure – from my view – has been neither exceptional nor a disaster.
Denying McDavis a raise and bonus this year would not fix the university’s dire budget situation, but it would be a long overdue gesture of solidarity with students.
Matt Farmer is a senior studying political science and education. Email him your thoughts at mf291209@ohiou.edu.
