UNM needs to justify allocating large salaries to vice presidents

Editor,

I have attended UNM for the past couple of years, and I have noticed that there are several recurring themes. Most often, I feel I am educated enough to have a legitimate idea of where I stand on most issues. However, one area in which I have always felt deep concern, but on which, to be perfectly honest, I have virtually no knowledge of, is that of our budgetary concerns regarding the employment of what is often alleged to be an excess of administration. This is usually in the form of vice presidents and deans.

Due mostly to my general lack of involvement in campus affairs beyond the classroom, I have yet to discern what the actual duties of a vice president at a University entail. I understand I am not alone in this unfortunate predicament, and I would sincerely like to know what exactly the role of University vice president entails beyond drawing hefty paychecks.

I am in favor of using University funds to directly contribute to the education I am paying good money to receive in the form of more professors, more class options and paper handouts in class. Or, if all else fails, lowering tuition would certainly not cause me an overt level of dissatisfaction. Still, if there is a justifiable reason to divert the considerable funds we allocate to vice presidents, I would really like to know exactly what I am getting for my money.

Oliver Newkirk

UNM student