Student Senate voted down a resolution urging Ohio University President Roderick McDavis to return his $85,000 pay raise last night after heated debate.
The resolution, which was defeated in a 22-15 vote, called for McDavis to return his pay raise to the university's general fund.
I'm very disappointed in the decision
said Off-Campus Senator Molly Shea, co-sponsor of the resolution. The student body expressed it would be in their interest.
Several students spoke in support of the bill before the vote, including Will Klatt, co-founder of the OU chapter of Students for a Democratic Society. He asked that the senate put the students first in their decision.
It is hypocritical if not plain greedy to accept an $85
000 raise while asking others to sacrifice their livelihood
said graduate student Michael Rinaldi-eichenberg.
The Budget Planning Council recently tabled a recommendation for a university-wide raise freeze for next year.
Student Activities Commissioner Chauncey Jackson led the opposition to the resolution, emphasizing that McDavis' new $380,000 salary is on par with presidents from Miami University, Kent State University and other Ohio schools.
Jackson pointed to a $1.2 million investment in faculty compensation over the next 5 years in response to the resolution's statement that faculty salaries are not keeping up with inflation.
Senate President Michael Adeyanju abstained from voting.
Shea cited votes of no confidence from both students and faculty during McDavis' tenure as well as financial constriants as reasons to support the resolution.
We don't feel (the raise) is deserved
Shea said, (OU) is not financially secure enough to be offering this kind of a raise.
Despite the failure of the resolution, Shea said it won't be the end of the issue.
We will be able to move on with further actions
possibly outside of Student Senate
Shea said. The students will not be quiet about this.
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