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Strapped Campuses Grumble About Presidents' Mansions

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2009 4:15 AM CDT
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(Newser) – An opulent, rent-free mansion complete with staff is one of the perks of the job for many university presidents but the luxury is beginning to grate on financially strapped campuses, the Boston Globe reports. A chorus of complaints can be heard on campuses hit by layoffs, and universities like Harvard and MIT balked at letting the Globe's reporter gain access to the presidential mansions and estates.

Presidents like Harvard's Drew Faust, who lives in a 12-room colonial mansion dating from 1767, may be reluctant to show off their homes because "there’s an image issue here: presidents living in splendor," said a spokesman from the American Council on Education. The council's latest survey found that 28% of college presidents live in university-owned housing, while another 20% receive a housing allowance. Few people think that the homes should be sold, but some suggest the presidents take a pay cut to help with the cost.

Harvard University President Drew Faust poses on Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Mass.
Harvard University President Drew Faust poses on Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Mass.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Some Harvard employees complain that the university's president is living in luxury while their laid-off colleagues can't even make mortgage payments.
Some Harvard employees complain that the university's president is living in luxury while their laid-off colleagues can't even make mortgage payments.   (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki, file)
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They’re not really being open about the kind of lifestyle they’re trying to maintain while making these cuts. - Harvard assistant librarian
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
BlueAyez
Aug 12, 2009 5:30 AM CDT
What a great opportunity for Harvard! A house built in 1767 is probably paid off by now. It should be a challenge for the students to make it energy efficient without damaging it's historic value. It should be the focal point of a historical society -- a site on the local historic homes tour. I'm sure the staff is provided by work/study program, but the occupant needs to pay their salaries.
littleoopie
Aug 12, 2009 4:01 AM CDT
...even though...;^)
littleoopie
Aug 12, 2009 4:00 AM CDT
I agree, my mom works at our local private college and hasn't had a pay raise in over 5 years--even thought the college is within the top 100 of the nation, with a tuition to rival any Ivy League school. The president makes a huge paycheck and lives for free in a gigantic Victorian 8 bedroom 'house'. All of the utilities and everything are covered--but even the professors haven't seen a raise in years!

Photos of the mansions of Massachusetts university presidents
Boston Globe

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MIT • Harvard • universities • campus • mansion • Harvard University

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