University of Stirling staff and students express outrage over principal’s pay rise amid budget cuts
Stirling: Staff and students at the University of Stirling are upset. They feel “appalled” and “disgusted” by the principal’s recent pay hike.
Last week, it was reported that Professor Sir Gerry McCormac is now Scotland’s highest-paid university chief. His salary increased by £119,000 in just two years.
Now, he earns £414,000 a year, or £438,000 with pension contributions. That’s about £18,000 a month!
In 2022, his base salary was £295,000. The university claims this pay is “appropriate” for the role.
However, staff are frustrated. They see a 33.5% pay increase for the principal while teaching budgets are being cut.
One administrator said many staff who left haven’t been replaced. Everyone feels overworked and underpaid.
Another academic mentioned cuts to budgets have hurt morale. Staff are expected to do more with less.
Concerns about mental health and stress are common among teaching staff. They find it hard to accept the principal’s generous pay rise.
Students Share Their Frustration
Students are also angry about the pay rise. They struggle with rent and want better working conditions.
Ali Rees, a journalism student, expressed frustration. She said it’s unfair that the principal gets such a high pay rise while the Student Union faces funding issues.
Another academic noted that part-time tutors are losing contracts. These tutors are among the lowest paid and most vulnerable staff.
Union Voices Concerns
A union spokesperson said most staff are appalled by the principal’s pay package. They feel senior management is out of touch with staff pressures.
Sir Gerry’s pay increase comes as Scottish universities face financial struggles. Dundee University is even negotiating a bank loan for redundancies.
University Defends Salary
A spokesperson for the University of Stirling defended the salary. They said it’s set by the Remuneration Committee and reflects the job’s size and scale.
They noted that Sir Gerry has declined pay increases in eight of the last ten years. He has also donated over £120,000 to support student and staff projects.
For comparison, other university principals earn similar amounts, while Scotland’s First Minister makes £176,780 a year.
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