Reward idea criticised by Canty University

Press, 4 March 1988, Page 9

Reward idea criticised by Canty University

“Academic snakes and ladders” would result if the Higher Salaries Commission’s proposal to reward lecturer performance were adopted, the University' of Canterbury Council was told this week.

The proposal would [allow staff members to be paid a bonus for special achievements or aboveaverage performance in teaching, research or administration at the university.

The bonus would be paid only to senior lecturers or above. Council members felt that any such scheme should include more junior staff

members. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bert Brownlie, said that because some members would be paid more in a certain year it followed that some would be paid less, and “academic snakes and ladders” would result.

The proposal would not be the best way to attract quality staff [ to the universities, Professor Brownlie said.

The present scheme, which rewarded staff members with promotion, was also promotion for excellence, council members said.

In rejecting the scheme, the council made it clear

that it did not object to payment for performance and excellence, but that the present proposal was unworkable. Officer to retire ; The university information officer, Mr Eric Beardsley, who will retire at the end of the month, was thanked for his [23 years of service. The Chancellor, Mr Richard Bowron, said Mr Beardsley had worked hard to publicise the university. Mr Beardsley said he was looking forward ■ to retirement, and to fulltime writing.