One of the things we hear a lot at the table is that management’s proposal is “because we are here for the students”. Some of you might have heard me say that the estimated cost for the President’s Coronation is $75,000. I was corrected today − It is $72,000. I have not seen the list of what is included in that estimate, but I am sure there are other hidden costs. I doubt it includes the hours and hours spent by the managers, clerical people, and technical people making the arrangement. That time could be spent “for the students”.

Yesterday I suggested a contest where you would try to match the top management with their salary increase for this year. The average is way above the CPI. Another thought I have is a contest where people could send in suggestions about how $72,000 could be better spent “for the students”. For instance, the Academy of Culinary Arts has a Bakery and Pastry program. Would you believe that the Academy does not have a Baking oven that works? They purchased two on bid and paid for them. When they came in, they did not work. They are substandard. For $40,000 we could purchase an oven comparable to what other culinary programs have. That is just an example. Send me your suggestions. wkparsons@comcast.net