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May 24, 2006
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
I write in response to several
stories and opinion columns that have appeared in The
Times-Dispatch on the topic of competitive compensation
at the University
of Virginia and the related involvement of some of our
students in a national "living wage" campaign.
I want to make it clear from the outset that members
of the university's administration have the full support
of
its Board of Visitors in their decision to ensure that
university employees receive fair compensation — including
competitive, market-based wages and generous health benefits
— as well as in their handling of the recent student
protests.
As this story has unfolded, some reporters have been
reluctant to ask probing questions, opting instead to
create in the
press an adversarial relationship between the administration
and university students. Consequently, one of the continuing
challenges has been to keep the facts straight.
The students demanded that the university increase its
entry-level rate for classified employees to the "living
wage" rate they calculated, using a methodology
even they now question. In fact, the university set its
minimum
hiring rate which it increased in March from $8.88 an
hour to $9.37** an hour — based on the most current market
analysis.
The students also demanded that the university, its employees,
and our board members break the law by requiring all
companies that contract for services with the university
to increase
their entry-level wages to an amount determined by the
students' formula. Even in the wake of an unambiguous
opinion from the Attorney General of Virginia that states
the university
has no authority to determine the wages paid to contractors'
employees, the students have continued to campaign to
the contrary. This will not happen.
In the course of the discussions with these students,
university president John Casteen did indeed take advantage
of a teachable
moment, discussing with them the need to understand both
the law and economics of the issue if they hoped to advance
their cause.
Casteen has indicated on numerous occasions his support
for the students' desire to confront the issue of poverty
in our community and in our state. He has been equally
clear that he does not support their methods.
He has called on the students to abandon their slogans,
to set aside differences, and to work together to educate
concerned citizens about the issues. At the same time,
we have also made it clear that however well-meaning
the students are, they will not be permitted to interfere
with
the daily operations of the university.
Thomas F. Farrell,
II, Rector, University of Virginia. Richmond.
** As of November 25, 2006 the university minimum wage was raised to $9.75 per hour.
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