Post by VA's Finest on May 5, 2009 6:13:57 GMT -5
www.news-record.com/content/2009/05/04/article/battle_s_leave_pay_angers_alumni
Battle’s leave pay angers alumni
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
By Joe Killian
Staff Writer
Accompanying Photos
File photo (News & Record)
Photo Caption: Stanley Battle
What do you think? 2 comment(s) Read other visitors' comments and post your own. GREENSBORO — James Pettiford says he has a hard time describing his anger when he learned N.C. A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle will collect his chancellor’s salary during a six-month sabbatical after he resigns — and then take a tenured faculty position at the school.
“I can’t even put it into polite words,” said Pettiford, an A&T alum from the Class of ’65. “At this time, when not just A&T but all of the schools are having to have layoffs, when the economy is so bad and schools are in financial trouble — why in the world would we agree to pay him all this money just to quit?”
Pettiford and other alumni are expressing shock as the A&T community talks about the terms of Battle’s resignation, which came suddenly and without explanation in February. Battle has been in the job for fewer than two years.
According to a resolution drafted for the UNC Board of Governors, Battle’s resignation will become effective June 30. He will then go on “research leave” from July 1 to Dec. 31 while continuing to collect his chancellor’s salary of $273,156 per year.
Battle will then spend at least nine months in a tenured faculty position in the school of sociology and social work at “a normal salary for his discipline.” The UNC Board of Governors will discuss the terms of Battle’s resignation at its meeting Thursday in Chapel Hill.
Pettiford said he wouldn’t donate to the school until it began spending its money more wisely.
“If Battle couldn’t handle the heat then he should have gotten out of the kitchen,” Pettiford said. “But we shouldn’t keep paying him like he’s doing a good job.”
Arthur Spears, an A&T alum from the Class of ’72, said he felt the same way.
“You tell me what excuse anyone could have for paying a man to quit a job he was chosen to do, that he asked for, that should be an honor?” Spears said. “And to go on paying him six months after he quits? Aggies should be ashamed of this.”
Some A&T faculty and staff also said they were unhappy with the terms, but most said they would not speak publicly for fear of reprisal.
Some staff said the school shouldn’t be giving such generous exit packages to departing executives at a time when state budget cuts are causing faculty layoffs.
Battle has repeatedly declined to discuss his resignation since it was announced. A&T officials and members of the school’s board of trustees have also declined to discuss Battle’s resignation or his performance in the job.
But board Chairman Franklin McCain said Monday that the school is contractually bound to give Battle these things upon his resignation....
This just doesnt even sound right. I'm speechless. BT dont expect too many hits on that banner at the top of the screen.
Battle’s leave pay angers alumni
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
By Joe Killian
Staff Writer
Accompanying Photos
File photo (News & Record)
Photo Caption: Stanley Battle
What do you think? 2 comment(s) Read other visitors' comments and post your own. GREENSBORO — James Pettiford says he has a hard time describing his anger when he learned N.C. A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle will collect his chancellor’s salary during a six-month sabbatical after he resigns — and then take a tenured faculty position at the school.
“I can’t even put it into polite words,” said Pettiford, an A&T alum from the Class of ’65. “At this time, when not just A&T but all of the schools are having to have layoffs, when the economy is so bad and schools are in financial trouble — why in the world would we agree to pay him all this money just to quit?”
Pettiford and other alumni are expressing shock as the A&T community talks about the terms of Battle’s resignation, which came suddenly and without explanation in February. Battle has been in the job for fewer than two years.
According to a resolution drafted for the UNC Board of Governors, Battle’s resignation will become effective June 30. He will then go on “research leave” from July 1 to Dec. 31 while continuing to collect his chancellor’s salary of $273,156 per year.
Battle will then spend at least nine months in a tenured faculty position in the school of sociology and social work at “a normal salary for his discipline.” The UNC Board of Governors will discuss the terms of Battle’s resignation at its meeting Thursday in Chapel Hill.
Pettiford said he wouldn’t donate to the school until it began spending its money more wisely.
“If Battle couldn’t handle the heat then he should have gotten out of the kitchen,” Pettiford said. “But we shouldn’t keep paying him like he’s doing a good job.”
Arthur Spears, an A&T alum from the Class of ’72, said he felt the same way.
“You tell me what excuse anyone could have for paying a man to quit a job he was chosen to do, that he asked for, that should be an honor?” Spears said. “And to go on paying him six months after he quits? Aggies should be ashamed of this.”
Some A&T faculty and staff also said they were unhappy with the terms, but most said they would not speak publicly for fear of reprisal.
Some staff said the school shouldn’t be giving such generous exit packages to departing executives at a time when state budget cuts are causing faculty layoffs.
Battle has repeatedly declined to discuss his resignation since it was announced. A&T officials and members of the school’s board of trustees have also declined to discuss Battle’s resignation or his performance in the job.
But board Chairman Franklin McCain said Monday that the school is contractually bound to give Battle these things upon his resignation....
This just doesnt even sound right. I'm speechless. BT dont expect too many hits on that banner at the top of the screen.
