The matter of compensation to UofL President James Ramsey that tipped public opinion of the University in a more critical direction is back in the news. Both Chris Otts of WDRB and Andrew Wolfson of the Courier-Journal reported yesterday on the release by the University of Louisville Foundation of its Form 990 Federal Tax Return for 2014. The University knew it would not be pretty and began to prepare the way with letters to supporters and posts to various social media. Pretty it was not– except for Dr. Ramsey and his senior supportive staff. Numbers taken directly from the compensation pages of the return listed President Ramsey’s salary from the Foundation alone as $2,428,886 with additional benefits of $362,500. His compensation included tax “gross-ups” to make up for any personal income tax he would have to pay. A great deal if you can get it, but not offered to most faculty or staff!
Even before the ink hit the page, Foundation Chairman and former UofL Trustee Chairman Robert Hughes broadcast an email to the UofL world at large highly critical of Mr. Otts. He accused Mr. Otts him of missing the point, vastly overstating Dr. Ramsey’s salary, having an agenda, and misleading the public with fairy tales. (I am accused of much of the same by the University’s internet trolls.) In my experience, Mr. Otts and Mr. Wolfson are both knowledgeable and careful reporters. If they have an agenda, it is in providing accurate and relevant information to their public. Continue reading “More Fireworks Over Executive Salaries at UofL.”