Syracuse University should not continue to expand the number of non-academic administrators on campus, in order to change the direction of an unfeasible trend.

In the course of nearly 25 years, SU’s full-time administrative staff has grown by more than 400 percent, according to a recent study by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting.

Bain & Co., a global management firm, evaluated SU and in 2014 released a report, which stated that the university spent more money on raises and promotions for non-faculty salaries in the past seven years than any other level of faculty and staff members.

This same report surveyed university employees and found that the general consensus for the main reason for inefficiency at SU is “too many decision makers” and suggested that SU could improve by having “fewer layers of approval.”

Though Chancellor Kent Syverud may have a plan in place to address these concerns, the current state of leadership positions at SU is contradictory to suggestions made within the Bain report.

As the number of these positions continues to multiply, the external review reinforces the notion that the surplus of administrative positions on the SU campus is simply unnecessary. The decision to halt the creation of new administration positions would also aid in the university’s struggle to revolve budget concerns, as the continued invention of these roles places unnecessary strain on university resources.

In June, SU initiated a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program, which was offered to staff members whose age and years of service combined are equal to or greater than 65. The initiative allows staff to receive half their yearly paycheck in exchange for them leaving the university.

Although the program is by no means a method of ‘clearing house,’ SU said in a letter to employees that it would be a way to advance the university’s success.

Rather than add to the administrative payroll, the university could save money by avoiding the creation of new executive positions altogether.

In 2015 alone, five new deans began leadership roles at various schools and colleges on campus.

For the university to continue to create administration positions on campus is impractical, and it must recognize that to continue this practice will in no way prove effective in regard to oversight practices at SU.

Published on September 15, 2015 at 12:40 am

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