Most Wyoming students are well aware that the university, and the state is on the verge of eight percent budget cuts. Eight percent may not seem like a large amount; after all, 92 percent of the budget gets to stay. However, due to the large number of university employees and activities eight percent means eight percent of the staff and activities are in danger of being cut.
Budget cuts are hard to face, but what makes the situation laughable is that now the university is asking for a three percent pay raise. It is highly unlikely that the proposal will be granted seeing as it comes during a tough economic climate. In this economy having a well paying job with partner benefits is a lucky break and better than most. It is outrageous to ask for pay raises when many people may find themselves jobless by the end of the fall semester.
There is a large teachers strike going on in Chicago because teachers are underpaid. Union members are out picketing, leaving students to go to work with their parents and lacking on the education they need. The argument for the pay raises is that UW needs to compete for the best faculty and to ensure that they have motivation to stay. It is true that money speaks larger than words. Everyone likes more money but people also like to have jobs. If it comes down to someone getting a new condo in Vale or someone paying to keep food on the table, the need for excess should be pushed aside to allow for people to make ends meet.
UW supports the entire Laramie community. Most residents are connected to the university in some way. The salary bumps could have the opposite of the intended affect. Families may not be able to afford to stay in Laramie and will leave to a different place where they can find work.
If UW is truly in jeopardy of losing staff because they are not receiving the pay raises they want then allow them to leave. People should not work just to look at the new cushy pay stub at the end of the day. Many people are educators because they like what they do. They feel passionate about their subject and genuinely want to help educate students. Yes, everyone needs a place to live, food, clothes and enough money to support their family. However, if the make it or break it point of staying at UW is a little extra money when some families may lose their primary source of income then there is no reason to stay.
