news-record.com

According to Economics 101, workers should be paid for jobs they perform -- nothing more, nothing less.

Unfortunately for taxpayers, notable and costly exceptions exist, particularly in the halls of higher learning.

Earlier this year, it came to light that Stanley Battle, who resigned in February as the N.C. A&T chancellor, will stay on as a professor and for six months draw his old salary.

And this week The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that former N.C. State provost Larry Nielsen, who resigned as chief academic officer as part of the fallout over the Mary Easley job flap, will get an equally sweet deal.

Both Battle and Nielsen eventually will resume teaching at their respective schools. However, in the lengthy interims they will be compensated handsomely at their current salary levels.

That may prove costly. During a "research leave," Battle will be paid in accordance with his chancellor's contract of $273,156 annually. While Nielsen takes a "study leave," he will continue to collect his annual salary of $298,700.

As for Battle, the university has said he will return to the School of Sociology and Social Work at a "level normal for his discipline." Nielsen, an expert on fisheries, reportedly will rejoin N.C. State's Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources faculty in November and teach one class per semester starting in January. His salary will then be reduced to $156,000.

Granted, state contracts cover their pay should circumstances change. But given formidable budget woes, several legislators correctly want to re-examine how much university employees should be paid while on leave. And N.C. State Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Jordan rightly has asked for a review of Nielsen's deal.

The issue surfaces as state-funded colleges prepare to grapple with unprecedented cuts. In March, A&T announced the elimination of 66 positions, 42 on the faculty. N.C. State faces a possible 10 percent budget loss. Even in better times, compensating highly paid officials for a job they no longer perform just doesn't add up, especially when they voluntarily step aside.

Now that employees are facing layoffs and pay cuts, and tuitions are rising at state schools, special salary allowances and considerations send the wrong message. The General Assembly needs to look closely at both leave and interim compensation policies.