Brookdale Community College President Peter. F. Burnham has had it pretty good. Burnham, who has served as Brookdale's president since 1991, has been on the receiving end of a host of tony perks for his post, including tuition coverage for his children, a hefty housing allowance, a brand-new Ford Expedition and a country club membership, all on top of his $216,000 yearly salary.
But that may all be about to change. According to the Asbury Park Press, a member of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders began investigating Burnham's budget after the president cited the freeholders' decision to cut the college's budget as a contributing factor to the proposed 8.2 percent tuition increase. The member then discovered Burnham's extravagant list of perks.
Some board members were incensed at Burnham's expenses. "I see this as an extravagance at a time and place when there's no room for extravagance," Freeholder John P. Curley, who initiated the investigation, told the Press.
On Thursday, Burnham said that he has been speaking with the board about altering his contract to hold down college spending and added that he would be willing to make concessions.
Brookdale was named the most expensive community college in the county last summer, with a per-credit cost of $118.50.
Are college presidents entitled to perks? Or should they be given nothing? Let us know what you think in the comments section.