$100,000 University of Montana salary worthy of admiration, not ridicule

The Missoulian published an article (Jan. 10) stating that 152 employees of the University of Montana make more than $100,000 and suggested that might be wasteful or unfair. The article contained my comments so I’d like to offer another perspective and continue that very necessary public conversation about the future of our university and the nation.

Some readers may feel outraged, believing that the roughly 10 percent of university employees making more than $100,000 are overpaid and that’s a waste of taxpayer money. They say: Starve the beast and keep my taxes low. But other readers may see an opportunity to work hard and achieve the American dream by emulating educated professionals who make both a decent living and a positive contribution to society. They know that a college degree is now the ticket to the American dream because a high school diploma is inadequate to compete in the world economy. The recent business closures in our community testify to that, and to the realization that a bad economy is exactly when we need to invest in educating and retraining our citizens.

Douglas Coffin

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/article_bd60b46c-14c1-11df-b85a-001cc4c03286.html