That’s it. On top of all my midterm stresses – from trying to squeeze as many library cafe coffees into my weekly budget as possible and completing 3000 word essays in an overcrowded, noisy fourth floor- this news may be my final straw.
Let me set the scene: I’ve always tried (let me emphasise “tried”) to be understanding and appreciate the £9250 cap on university education for Welsh students. In comparison to other university fees, such as the US which can reach extortionate amounts, I have been grateful for a price cap. At least I was (arguably) getting what I was paying for. But after reading a new investigation about the expense claims of some university vice chancellors, including Peter Mathieson, my understanding has dwindled considerably. No way is my £9250 tuitions fees being spent on the £1000 maintenance cost of Mathieson’s eucalyptus trees.
My frustration goes out to all students across the UK, as lavish vice chancellor spending doesn’t end at Peter Mathieson’s townhouse on Regent Terrace. The vice chancellor for Portsmouth University, who was paid £376,000 last year, asked to be reimbursed for a £1.05 Marks and Spencer’s soft drink. I have to commend his choice of supermarket- but naturally scorn this demonstrated cheek and out of touch behaviour. I wouldn’t even ask my friends to pay me back a pound, it seems ludicrous. And I can reassure you I don’t have a steady income of nearly 400k.
If this money was coming from an ethically ambiguous pyramid scheme- sure, get the pound back. I shall then respect the hustle. However, as vice chancellor of a university you are well aware of the lengths that students go to in order to afford their finances. They must be reminded that these reimbursements are not coming from big co-operations with plenty to spare- but rather they are coming from students pockets, like you and me. It seems a bit disrespectful to the students, of whom well being and education they are responsible for. When being in positions of great power, comes great responsibilities.
Surely, we hope, this responsibility stretches to knowing when or not to be reimbursed for your eucalyptus botany. Imagine, what a thousand pounds spent on student counselling, rather than botanical upkeep, could do for the wellbeing of fee-payers. The university would be able to turn a new leaf.
Illustration by Jennifer Tian
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Exuberant VC Expenses Need to Stop
That’s it. On top of all my midterm stresses – from trying to squeeze as many library cafe coffees into my weekly budget as possible and completing 3000 word essays in an overcrowded, noisy fourth floor- this news may be my final straw.
Let me set the scene: I’ve always tried (let me emphasise “tried”) to be understanding and appreciate the £9250 cap on university education for Welsh students. In comparison to other university fees, such as the US which can reach extortionate amounts, I have been grateful for a price cap. At least I was (arguably) getting what I was paying for. But after reading a new investigation about the expense claims of some university vice chancellors, including Peter Mathieson, my understanding has dwindled considerably. No way is my £9250 tuitions fees being spent on the £1000 maintenance cost of Mathieson’s eucalyptus trees.
My frustration goes out to all students across the UK, as lavish vice chancellor spending doesn’t end at Peter Mathieson’s townhouse on Regent Terrace. The vice chancellor for Portsmouth University, who was paid £376,000 last year, asked to be reimbursed for a £1.05 Marks and Spencer’s soft drink. I have to commend his choice of supermarket- but naturally scorn this demonstrated cheek and out of touch behaviour. I wouldn’t even ask my friends to pay me back a pound, it seems ludicrous. And I can reassure you I don’t have a steady income of nearly 400k.
If this money was coming from an ethically ambiguous pyramid scheme- sure, get the pound back. I shall then respect the hustle. However, as vice chancellor of a university you are well aware of the lengths that students go to in order to afford their finances. They must be reminded that these reimbursements are not coming from big co-operations with plenty to spare- but rather they are coming from students pockets, like you and me. It seems a bit disrespectful to the students, of whom well being and education they are responsible for. When being in positions of great power, comes great responsibilities.
Surely, we hope, this responsibility stretches to knowing when or not to be reimbursed for your eucalyptus botany. Imagine, what a thousand pounds spent on student counselling, rather than botanical upkeep, could do for the wellbeing of fee-payers. The university would be able to turn a new leaf.
Illustration by Jennifer Tian
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