Tuition Letter Clarified, Statements Were Made Based on Faulty Data

I wish to clarify and amend my previous statement that I made about the proposed tuition hike and its relation to professor salaries ("Student Appalled By Tuition Hike Request; Salaries Already High," Reader's Forum, Jan. 24) Strangely enough, the day that my letter was printed, the DTH ran a story on the breakdown of salaries among the different departments.

This brought to my attention (along with an e-mail response) that I had based my argument upon faulty information. Now I did not do this on purpose nor did I have the slightest inkling that my information on salaries was false. I based my argument on an article that ran in the DTH, which factored in salaries from the law, business and medical schools (whose salaries are still very high), all of which operate independently from basic undergraduate tuition. This greatly skewed the facts upon which my argument was based.

I wish to apologize for arguing based on these incomplete facts. I was presented with such information that lead me to believe that salary increases would be going to full professors and those who already have very high salaries. I was only responding to information that, at the time, I had thought was concrete and factual. Obviously I was wrong, and I apologize.

However, I also wish to clarify my position. No, I am not against professors. In my short time at UNC-CH I have had several excellent professors whom I enjoyed having very much. I am also in favor of an increase in salaries, so long as it goes to those who do not enjoy the income and benefits of a full professorship and to help even out the incredible disparity between departmental salaries. Make no mistake however; I am still vehemently opposed to any tuition hike, especially if it goes to raise the pay of full professors and those who enjoy higher-end salaries. I still believe that full professors earn more than enough money. Again, my apologies to anyone I may have ticked off for having argued based upon faulty info (received through no fault of my own might I add).

Travis Senor
Freshman
Undecided