TO THE EDITOR:
After a review of public records, I was surprised and equally disturbed to learn the wife of the current university president earns $30,696. Valerie Hodge may be the first Miami president's wife who received a salary to be an "ambassador." Call it a salary; call it a stipend. It's an unwarranted bonus.
Neither Martha Shriver nor Winifred Pearson received payment to be wifely ambassadors. They represented the university, did what had to be done, because that's what you do. Both women left with more substantial reputations and far better reminders of their tenure without compensation.
Filling a niche as a presidential spouse comes with the territory. When your husband signs a contract with Miami, you know what you're getting into with a generous presidential salary, bonuses and perks. Much like a minister assigned to a new parish, the spouse is part & parcel of the package.
The university president and spouse never have to concern themselves with household repairs while living at historic Lewis Place. There's no mortgage or rent to pay. They've never had to bid out a roofing, gutter or painting job. They have free maintenance, free landscape services and vehicle allowance, (insurance, maintenance, gas). Catered events have gourmet foods brought in and dirty dishes removed. The president and spouse can probably walk into any dining hall and get a comp'd meal.
While the presidential household has complimentary housekeeping services -- in sharp contrast -- hourly custodians have an 8+ hour shift cleaning dorm toilets. Many hard-working MU maintenance staff likely earn less than the "ambassador's stipend." I value the underdog, not the privileged.
The Valerie Hodge "ambassadorship" comes at a cumulative high price. Even if Mrs. Hodge's stipend began at a 'low' $20,000 per year a decade ago, now ending just shy of $30,700, simple math puts her gross at close to one quarter million dollars. Her MU salary qualifies her earning a substantial OPERS retirement benefit.
The March 1, 2016 issue of the Miami Student noted the dire straits of the Conrad Formal Garden greenhouses. They're vintage; they've been overlooked, university-neglected and long overdue on repairs. Those houses provide plants that perennially grace the campus.
However, the current administration has preferred to 'let things go' and justifies demolition when buildings haven't been maintained, as was the historic McCullough-Stafford house at 216 E. High. Had the greenhouses been athletic offices, they'd be gold-plated by now!
Mrs. Hodge, before you depart gracious Lewis Place, which has been your personal estate for a decade, as one of your last noble gestures as "ambassador" -- how about signing this year's check over for $30,695 towards the start of essential greenhouse upgrades. Keep one dollar as a token keepsake. Frame it as a souvenir. Isn't the $432,000 that president Hodge earned this year and his $84,404 bonus as "the spoils of 10 years of service to Miami" enough to live on?
Your stipend, plus frivolous misspending by President Hodge to reupholster new chairs in the Armstrong Student Center in the "right" Miami red, could have been seed money for functional restoration and appropriate upgrades to the greenhouses.
Likely there are some faculty, campus workers, students and community-at-large who hope that incoming president Gregory Crawford's salary of $495,000 and bonuses is more than adequate. If Renata Crawford earns a salary, it may be justified if she continues as a physics professor, but not for being a presidential wife.
K.L. Zien,
Oxford, Ohio