There is no question Ohio University is undergoing a major budget crisis. And yet the most glaring budget problem of all is the $390,321 being paid to President Roderick McDavis every year.
Why is this a problem? Because it means there is still $397,609,679 in the university’s budget that isn’t being paid to McDavis.
Just because OU has a $9.64 million deficit doesn’t mean that McDavis shouldn’t get the pay raise he rightfully deserves.
In fact, by receiving a raise, McDavis is just showing everyone how unfazed he is by the deficit.
In the midst of a disaster, McDavis is cool and confident. He’s like George Clooney in The Perfect Storm. (By the way, how did that movie end? I never finished it.)
A lot of students like to complain about being in debt. Well the way I see it, we owe a debt of gratitude (in monetary form) to President McDavis for all of the terrific work he does.
And let’s not forget about OU’s first lady. For having to cope with being married to a man who makes $390,321 a year, Deborah McDavis’ only compensation is an annual wage of $29,047.
Think about how difficult it must be to have that much money. Every day sitting down on a wallet that is constantly packed full. You’re practically asking for spine misalignment.
And with all those bags of money lying around, one could easily get disoriented and confuse them for garbage bags.
Next thing you know, you just threw away $6,521. (That’s why you got the raise, right, Rod?)
After considering the plight of the McDavises, some of you might conclude that, if having too much money is the problem, we should pay them less.
But because McDavis works so hard protecting Ohio Athletics, that option just wouldn’t be ethical.
Therefore, I propose we pay them more so they can buy therapy sessions to deal with the stress of trying to spend all that money.
It’s the price we must pay for already paying their price. It’s not like the McDavises have the luxury of spending money on a house or on travel expenses, the university covers that, as they should.
Right now the OU Board of Trustees is putting Mr. and Mrs. McDavis in an awkward position where they are paying the McDavises a lot of money, but not all the money.
Look, just because we earn it at our jobs, and it’s in our bank accounts doesn’t mean that it’s not President McDavis’ money.
We should be thankful that he’s not calling the police on us or pressing charges for theft.
Maybe I’m ignorant but I thought OU was founded on a vision, a vision that one day every student will be educated — about the proper way to write a check to President McDavis.
At least I think that’s why the university is here.
I could be wrong; the class that taught that subject was cut because of budget restrictions.
Joe Lalonde is a junior studying video production.
