Academic arrogance

The new Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz likes to live on a grand scale. And for some reason, the Regents of the Ubiversity of California have been inclined to indulge Denice Denton's taste for the finer things in life, at the taxpayers' expense, not their own, of course. In an era of rising tuition and taxes, they are spending money in ways that only can be described as grotestque. Perhaps it is the Chancellor's prominent commitment to "diversity" (mentioned before any other professional accomplishments on her official biography) that makes her worth so much.

Here is the deal that Chancellor Denice Denton got:

A personal salary of $272,000 per year;

A position for her lesbian "partner" Gretchen Kalonji at $192,000 per year;

"Moving expenses" for relocating from Seattle at $68,000.

A "housing allowance" for lesbian partner Kalonji of $50,000, who will be working about 60 miles away from her in Oakland

Free housing in a large mansion on the UC Santa Cruz campus: 4,124 square feet for public functions and 2680 square feet in the private section.

Unknown but substantial expense allowances for travel and entertainment.

All this was previously known. What is new today is the revelation that Denton also handed the University a "wish list" of renovations necessary to make the mansion livable for a woman of her tastes. Evidently she has taken time away from reading engineering journals in favor of Architectural Digest. The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

In her kitchen, she wanted a new Sub—Zero refrigerator and new dishwasher, microwave and gas stove. In the living room, among other things, she wanted a new couch and chairs. She also wanted new carpet and fresh paint throughout her residence.

As if that weren't enough, a $30,000 backyard dog run for her pet was also part of the project. The total amount spent is in the $600,000 range. Her wish is evidently the Regents' command.

Nice work if you can get it. And if the taxpayers will put up with it. Diversity doesn't come cheap.

Thomas Lifson   3 30 06