With annual salaries ranging from DKK 1.1 to 1.3 million, it is profitable to be a dean at Danish universities, writes Politiken.<\/p>\n
This level of salary was unknown before a reform of Danish universities in 2003 replaced a level of staff democracy with professional boards and top-down management.<\/p>\n
According to Danish newspaper Politiken, four of University of Copenhagen\u2019s deans make at least DKK 1.3 million a year, while four newly hired deans at University of Aarhus make DKK 1.2 million. <\/p>\n
By comparison, Minister of Science Charlotte Sahl-Madsen, who is politically responsible for universities, has an annual salary of DKK 1.15 million.<\/p>\n
University of Copenhagen\u2019s Vice President and Human Relations manager, Niels Wendelboe, doesn\u2019t consider the salaries too high.<\/p>\n
\u00bbThe biggest faculties have between 1,500 and 1,800 employees and a turnover of over one thousand million kroner, so we are speaking about top managers with huge responsibilities. This also if you compare to leading positions in private companies,\u00ab he says to Politiken.<\/p>\n
When asked if the resources aren’t better spent on more and better teaching, Niels Wendelboe points to the fact that the universities have to compete with other big organizations to attract the best candidates:<\/p>\n
\u00bbAs in all organizations, we would like to keep expenses down. But we find ourselves in a competition where it is crucial to attract the right people,\u00ab he explains.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t bother Minister of Science Charlotte Sahl-Madsen that many deans make more than she does.<\/p>\n
\u00bbWe need competent deans. With all the education, tasks and responsibility they have, I can\u2019t see that there is anything wrong with an attractive salary,\u00ab she says to Politiken.<\/p>\n
\u00bbAlso, the minister job is rewarding in many ways. The wage is not everything!\u00ab she adds.<\/p>\n
ginsberg@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n