Western: rich kids and rich professors

By Kristina Lundblad
Gazette Staff

Western's $100,000 club has fewer members than it did last year – now there are only 222 individuals at Western making more money than most of us will ever know.

In accordance with the province's Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, Western released last week the names and salaries of faculty and staff members who receive more than $100,000. This year, there were 45 fewer names than last year's 267.

Nancy Daigneault, spokeswoman for the provincial Ministry of Finance, said, under the act, the salaries of anyone in the public sector who make more than $100,000 must be made public each year.

"It is part of our commitment to provide a more accountable and transparent government," Daigneault said.

Robert Colcleugh, chair of Western's Board of Governors, said the public policy allows taxpayers to see where their money is going, but added faculty members on the list deserve the money they receive.

"You're not going to stay at Western if you think you can make more money at an equivalent job elsewhere – we're looking for means to give competitive salaries to our staff," Colcleugh said.

Western president Paul Davenport, who made $237,275 in 2001, said he does not mind having his salary figure publicly released. "I work for a public institution – I think it's quite appropriate," he said.

Although Davenport's salary is higher than the previous year, it is a pale comparison to University of Toronto's president Robert Birgeneau, who made $363,000. However, Davenport's salary exceeds that of University of Windsor president Ross Paul, who hauled in $198,500 last year.

Davenport earns the second highest salary at Western, just behind dean of medicine Carol Herbert, who brings in $258,062.

–with files from

Erin Conway-Smith