George Orwell may have got his timing off by two decades, but his narrative
on language and truth in his "1984" seems very appropriate these days.

We have been told in various public forums that UTC gets better faculty
than it deserves, because we keep performing, in spite of our low pay
compared to comparable institutions and long-term (even before 1984!)
decline in actual buying power. There have been very few years when our pay
adjustment has equalled inflation, let alone exceeded it. A "raise" is not
a raise. This is a good deal for the reluctant taxpayers of this state and
their feckless representatives.

Furthermore, Tennessee does recognize loyalty and performance in part by
the longevity pay formula, which guarantees us a hundred bucks a year up to
25 years, even in the hard times. Come to think of it, since "good times"
are difficult to recall, perhaps we should think in terms of "hard" and
"harder" times, like right now. But I digress. Since longevity pay ceases
after 25 years, is anything beyond that stupidity pay? It is beginning to
look that way.

Last week news filtered down through the administrative structure that
Summer School was again facing a budget crisis. Over the years there have
been conflicting arguments about whether or not Summer School pays for
itself or is a burden. In any case, department heads have now been told to
expect cuts and heavy reliance on lower cost new faculty or adjuncts to
staff courses.

If long-term faculty are to be avoided because of their higher cost, this
in effect is a negative longevity policy, more than cancelling out the one
mentioned above. It can only add to the salary compression we already have
at UTC. It will also have a dramatic long-term effect on retirement pay,
which is based on the five highest years of remuneration.

We all realize that the university is facing drastic cuts in funding year
after year, but I am sure that, after exploring fully all the other
alternatives, a fair policy will be adopted. One that is longevity-neutral.
We should not shut out those with decades of service to UTC. The pie may be
shrinking, but let's divide it without punishing loyalty to the
institution. If we do not share the shrinking moola around here, longevity
will indeed look a lot like stupidity.

Richard Rice

P.S. The Theatre Department's timely presentation of "Death of a Salesman"
this year whould not be missed by any Willy Loman wannabees. It is a
must-see for the longevity-challenged.