James Taranto at OpinionJournal found an interesting nugget on new UC Santa Cruz chancellor Denice D. Denton. Denton was prominently quoted harshly criticizing Harvard President Lawrence Summers for his comments at an NBER conference last week. Most memorably Denton asserted the need to 'speak truth to power'. [still don't get it - babble if I've ever heard it.]
The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported that UC Santa Cruz has created a new position for 'international development' for Professor Gretchen Kalonji, professor material sciences and Denton's partner for seven years, which pays $192,000. She apparently was also given a $50,000 relocation allowance (in addition to Denton's).
Now it isn't unusual for 'academic couples' to both get posts at the same institution when one of them is being recruited by that institution. There isn't anything wrong with it as both should be able to continue their career and academics, in general, are not lavishly paid.
$192,000 for a newly created position of unclear purpose is a different story. Kalonji apparently is a well regarded scientist with interest in international education. The SC Sentinel, via editorial, is demanding a clear explanation of the deal especially the parlous shape of UC finances and the fact that tuition has risen steeply. They deserve one.
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