Despite Money Woes, UC Gives $140M in Raises

The University of California is in the midst of what’s advertised as its worst fiscal crisis ever, with lost state funds leading to tuition hikes and layoffs—but that’s not stopping it from handing out $140 million worth of merit-based raises, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The raises will go to non-union employees, who’ve had their wages frozen for four years even as union employees got regular raises thanks to previously negotiated contracts.

“Fairness dictates that we take this step,” UC’s president said in a letter announcing the move yesterday, adding that the raises would prevent staffers from being lured away to other schools. But students were skeptical. “So all of a sudden they have money?” the president of the UC Student Association asks. “Is this where our fee increase went to? I wouldn't want to say they don't deserve it, but I think it's questionable that all of a sudden there's money for this.” (More University of California stories.)