Dartblog

When you root around at any length in Dartmouth’s compensation plans, you find generosities larded on top of absurdities — all of which cost the College many millions of dollars each year to no discernable purpose. How about this astounding perk, the likes of which I have never seen in the private sector:

7% Special Benefit
Salaried staff age 40 and older will receive an additional 7% of base salary.

7% Special Benefit
Faculty age 40 and older will receive an additional 7% of base salary.

On top of the inflated wages, huge benefits and extra-generous vacations, we find, what exactly? An extended reward for turning 40? Happy Birthday! What could the justification be for such a sugar plum? Are our 40+-year-olds being raided by an avaricious private sector seeking their extraordinary skills? Do 40+-year-olds have particular needs that under-40’s don’t have? Are we happy to discriminate against youth?

Of course, faculty do have the latitude to apply this 7% to their retirement accounts — or take it as cash — but this extra bonus already comes on top of the 10% salary premium that the over-35 crowd gets from the College for retirement savings. Nobody is suffering there.

Why don’t we just conclude that these are special times which call for special measures: President Kim, drop the 7% special benefit.

My word, if the College were run like a private business, not only would we not be in a financial crisis, we would have more money that we know what to do with. Then, by putting money towards ends that directly benefit students, we could provide an extraordinary educational experience — or at least ensure that students get into the classes that they want.

Where were our supposedly experienced and vigilant Trustees when all of these extravagant, wasteful policies were put into place?

Addendum: I’d be surprised if this 7% benefit costs the College any less than $10,000,000 each year.