Representatives put Rodin on the spot at appropriations hearing

Testifying before the House Appropriations Committee in Harrisburg Monday, University President Judith Rodin hoped to secure almost $50 million in state funding for next year. She was quickly reminded, though, that politicians don't part with taxpayers' pennies easily. During the hearing, Rodin faced a barrage of what she called "difficult and probing" questions from legislators eager to cut higher education costs statewide. They even pushed Rodin to reveal her own $350,000 salary. As a test case, Rep. John Lawless (R-Montgomery) pointed to Temple University President Peter Liacouras, who recently said he will take a five percent cut in his $250,000 salary. Lawless led the attack on state appropriations for higher education, leveling criticism about the cost-effectiveness of teaching and research at all of the officials from Pennsylvania schools appearing at the hearing. He focused on faculty perks like sabbaticals and tenure. Rodin told the Committee that for their approximately $80,000 salaries, full professors at the University spend an average of nine hours per week in the classroom and three hours seeing students in their offices -- in addition to countless hours of related study and preparation. Lawless said he does not begrudge academics their high salaries, but thinks they should work harder to receive them. "I just think that we can reduce expenses by doing away with one out of four professors, by asking each to teach one more class," he said. Rodin acknowledged that her own salary is "generous," explaining that it was set by the University's Board of Trustees based on what former President Sheldon Hackney earned two years ago. However, Rodin's salary is the second-highest in the Ivy League -- behind only Columbia University President George Rupp, who has been on the job one year longer than Rodin. "I work very hard for it," Rodin said, citing her evening and weekend working hours for proof. "The responsibility of a $2 billion corporation is on my shoulders." University spokesperson Barbara Beck agreed. "The woman busts her butt every single day," she said. "Next to [Detroit Tigers Manager] Sparky Anderson, her job is the most second-guessed job in America." Rodin said she was pleased with the way Committee members received her testimony. She especially praised Rep. Joseph Battisto (D-Monroe), whose two children attended the University. "We gave them very strong and hopefully persuasive answers?We weren't treated any more harshly than any of our peer institutions," Rodin said. "Temple preceded us and Lincoln [University] followed us and they got exactly the same treatment." While fellow Committee members grew irritated at Lawless's deviation from the "substantive issues," the hearing didn't faze Rodin, according to Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman, who accompanied her to the capital.