Update on UT Bonuses

UT Vice President Hank Dye says the UT Development Department's bonus plan - approved by the Board of Trustees in 2006 - is being suspended pending a review because of these tough economic times.

Dye says the Administration was in a "tough middle place" over the bonuses approved by President Petersen Monday, which he said was $415,000, not the half million dollars our sources told us.

We asked him about the timing of the bonuses - wondering if it sent the wrong message during a time of budget and personnel cuts?

"You can't turn your back on folks and not honor the Board's commitment," he said.

"They raised more than $184 million in 2008. That's $9 million dollars over the fundraising goal," he added.

"The timing of the bonuses was 2006 when the Board agreed to the Development Incentive Program, not today," he said.

Dye also pointed out that 64 percent of those receiving bonuses make less than $50,000 a year. That works out to about 130 employees. And he tells us that Henry Nemcik, head of the department does not participate in the program.

Still, despite Dye's explanation many agree it just doesn't look good. The Administration must still deal with the growing perception that this is another example of an administration that's willing to take care of its people, but not faculty or the student body.