What is the point of giving MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon an $85,000 raise if she is going to give it back to MSU? Why the song and dance?
Don't get us wrong, this was a very kind gesture on Simon's behalf. But why would she accept a raise then promptly turn around and return the money?
Maybe it's just because we're poor college students that we don't understand.
Wouldn't it be easier to cut out the middle man and give the almost $85,000 directly to the university's capital campaign?
Probably, but there must be a reason for this decision.
The president's increased salary, as expressed by the MSU Board of Trustees, represents a form of competitiveness among the Big Ten universities.
Before Simon's raise, MSU was ranked 10th out of 11 universities in terms of total compensation paid to Big Ten presidents. With Simon's raise, MSU has been bumped up to seventh place on this list.
It still doesn't put MSU in the top half — it is still straggling behind. But as long as the board is talking raises, why not go all the way?
Now, not only does our president make more money than four other Big Ten presidents, but it confirms that MSU is a worthy school to attend. Wouldn't you be attracted to a school with a president worth $425,000?
The higher salary will be more appealing to future presidents.
Who knows? Maybe the raise was just a publicity stunt to showcase Simon's benevolence. She protested against the raise, claiming she didn't need it.
Is it possible that the only reason she was given a raise was to make a charitable donation? In front of everyone? Just saying.
But maybe it's simply a matter of flattery.
The $85,000 raise might be a kind gesture thanking Simon for all of the time and effort she has put into MSU. Who is to say that she does not deserve — even if she does not crucially need — the same amount of money as the other Big Ten presidents? Or more?
It was probably difficult to be in Simon's position. No matter what choice she made, she would've been criticized.
Take the money and appear greedy.
Not take the money and appear on the Opinion Page.
