Not such a rewarding time for principals

HE perceived greed of several years and has also donated £1.3bn. Although the salaries quoted University, not taking any increases at Scotland’sall.eminentuniversity£120,000toascholarshipfund.soundexorbitant-anddwarfthe principals is back under the The rises are galling for academics, £140,000 paid to First Minister Nicola Nonetheless, in the wake of the latest spotlight this week. Research student leaders and the general public Sturgeon and Prime Minister David round of pay increases there were by The Herald showed a because they come at a time when the Cameron - they are well below those in renewed calls from academics and number of university leaders pocketing rest of the population is expected to other leading international business students for more accountability over sizeable pay increases and bonuses in cope with a pay freeze or a minimal sectors such as the Scotch whisky the salaries of principals. 2013/14. rise. In addition, universities are industry. In 2012, a review chaired by

To the fore was Professor Sir Jim funded by the taxpayer and there is a And in reality many principals did Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, McDonald, principal of Strathclyde view, therefore, that salary levels of all show restraint, with the majority either principal of Robert Gordon University University, in Glasgow, who is now the staff should reflect the parlous state of taking one or two per cent increases or, in Aberdeen - who accepted just one per highest paid principal in Scotland after the public purse. as in the case of Professor Sir Timothy cent this year - called for the abolition taking a seven per cent increase to In their defence, universities trot out O’Shea of Edinburgh University and of bonuses and recommended bring his salary to £334,000 a year. the excuse that principals are doing a Professor Andrea Nolan of Napier university remuneration committees

The biggest increase was the eight wonderful job and therefore deserve to include staff and student members to per cent awarded to Professor Stephen be rewarded, but in most other increase transparency. Chapman, the principal of Heriot-Watt professions doing your job well is With the proposed Higher Education University, in Edinburgh, whose pay considered part and parcel of being Governance Bill currently under increased to £198,000. paid rather than as an invitation to consultation and this damaging issue

And Professor Louise Richardson, reap further financial dividends. once again to the fore, politicians of all the principal of St Andrews University, It is true that the sector is one of the parties have a decision to make. Either in Fife, also came under fire after most important to the future economic they introduce greater control and accepting a one-off bonus of £30,000, success of Scotland, generating £6.7 transparency over pay rises for although the university highlighted the billion for the Scottish economy in principals or await the next fact she has not had a pay rise for 2011/12, as well as exports worth embarrassing set of figures.