University of Oklahoma president David Boren is recommending a 3 percent pay cut for himself, and OU vice presidents and deans for the upcoming fiscal year.
Boren said Monday the administrators affected by the pay cut have asked that the savings be used for need-based scholarships for students.
“Our university leaders want to be part of any shared sacrifice we need to make. It is a tough time for the university, for students and their parents, and for the taxpayers who struggle in the private sector,” Boren said. “We want to do our part to help out. While the total saved will not be huge, every little bit helps, and it is important for all of us to be in the same boat together.”
Boren is also leading a grassroots effort to get a proposal on November's ballot to increase the state sales tax by a penny. If approved, supporters say it would generate more than $600 million for education in Oklahoma.
Last month the OU Board of Regents approved a $20 million dollar budget reduction strategy that includes a voluntary retirement plan, cuts to purchasing and travel, and reducing faculty and staff by attrition.
Boren said since he took office in 1994, OU has cut its administrative costs by half, down to roughly 4.5 percent of the total university budget.
University payroll data collected by Oklahoma Watch indicates Boren earned $372,203 in FY 2015.
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