It feels like ages ago now, but a little over a year ago, I was excited for school.
I was looking forward to arriving at Ohio University because I was told countless stories about how the school cares about its students. Here and there, I’ve found holes in that reputation, but I’ve tried my best to remain optimistic that it was simply mismanagement; not malintent.
Now, that optimism has died. It’s dead for me, and many of my peers.
Watching the school deal with the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the administration to show its true colors. They’ve made their lack of commitment to its students and faculty clear by quietly giving Deborah Shaffer, the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, a $100,000 bonus.
This is egregious because it shows a poor understanding of what bonuses are for. In most cases, bonuses are reserved for excellence, either of management or character. For instance, a pro sports team might get a bonus after winning a championship or a star player might receive a bonus for being named MVP.
If the financial administration was a professional team, it’d earn neither of those accolades. Instead, it’d be a losing team filled with Kwame Brown level players and Cleveland Browns calibre management. Just like Browns fans, the community may love OU but there’s no faith in the leaders to do the right thing.
This was evidenced earlier this year when OU faculty senate gave the administration a no confidence vote on financial issues in May. Their frustration stemmed from various factors: low-salary staff furloughs, teachers being incentivized to retire early, and chiefly, a steady rise of administrative salaries over the last decade as student enrollment declines.
The administration has done nothing to change those minds. Since May, more than 200 instructional faculty and administrators, 140 skilled-trade workers in the ASFCME Local 1699 union, and 81 clerical and technical employees have all lost their jobs since May, triggering several Uptown protests.
Personally, I’ve been affected by these cuts even though I’m not on campus. I lost a great adviser, and was never even notified she was gone. Thankfully, I found another way to get in contact with her but that was no help from the administration. Many students have went through situations just like mine, and worse.
Losing that relationship while watching an administrator get a bonus for creating the crisis in the first place is unacceptable. Ohio University has an obligation to manage its finances better because it’s the biggest supplier of jobs in Athens County. During a time with unprecedented economic turmoil, the administration should be focusing on spending every penny on those who make the school great – not themselves.
With this type of selfish management, it’s no surprise enrollment is dropping.
Adonis Fryer is a sophomore studying communications at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Tell Adonis by emailing him at af414219@ohio.edu.
