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Sentinel finds Florida’s public university professors make less than national average

Gov. Rick Scott (Pic via flgov.com) Gov. Rick Scott sparked a debate when he released the salary data on dozens of professors at Florida’s public universities

Jul 31, 2020
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Gov. Rick Scott sparked a debate when he released the salary data on dozens of professors at Florida’s public universities. The move, said a Scott spokesperson, was simply about transparency. Critics, however, argued the data was released as part of Scott’s effort to push for major higher education change in the state. Now examination of the data by the Orlando Sentinelreveals that Florida professors actually earn less than the national average.
As the Sentinel reports, the average salaries of full-time professors at public universities in Florida came to about $6,000 below the national average. While the national average for professors’ salaries is $86,653, Florida’s average is just $80,879.
Via the Sentinel:
Scott’s office said he posted the information simply to make already-public information easier to find by creating a database that lists the names and annual salaries of the university system’s 50,000-plus employees.
But faculty leaders think he had other motives.
They say he posted the data to make it appear that universities are wasteful as he prepares to push for dramatic higher-education changes during the legislative session that begins in January.
In addition to posting salary data, Scott also recently sent lettersto Florida’s 11 state university presidents, requesting data on how universities are meeting the needs of the state’s workforce. He specifically asked for information pertaining to the performance of the 50 highest-paid employees.
Dexter Cooke

Dexter Cooke

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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide. He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all. Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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