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USNH receives a very small percentage of its funding from the state(less than 20%) - significantly less than our neighbor states. The tax burden for this expense is negligble and the benefit of educating our future leaders (and bringing in out of state students who spend money here) is far greater than the cost.
A far greater concern is that we continue to depend on property taxes and the lottery as our sole sources to support education and running the state. We are taxing our seniors out of the state and encouraging millionaires to move here so they don't have to pay income tax. I am far more disappointed that Gov. Lynch has vowed no new taxes than that the coach at UNH is making money to make money for the state.
- Allysa, Keene

An important piece of information is missing in the university table -- the length of the contract. Many faculty appointments are 9 months, though some are a full 12 months. Comparing these figures without this information can be misleading when considering equity between employees (though it is accurate in terms of the cost to the university, sans benefits). The faculty title alone does not reliably indicate the appointment type.
- JS, Durham

To the person who mentioned the shipyard, I would point out two things.

1. The shipyard is in Maine, thanks to the SCOTUS taking the easy route out.

2. The workers are FEDERAL employees, not employees of the state of either Maine or NH. Their pay, relative to NH state employees, is pretty irrelevant.
- Dave, Portsmouth

Fire Dick Umile! Another horrid first-round loss in the tournament, when it matters.

www.firedickumile.com
- MG, Bedford

Again, this is an old headline, but I agree when and where does it state that just because you work for the State of NH you should accept that you wont be paid well?? I read these articles and feel pain knowing that we have Public Servants who give their lives to people who dont care and think that they should not have to pay for services......
- Brian, Hooskett

Well let's compare apples to apples, the Union Leader should have the courage to publish the names and salaries of all it's employee's.

How about salaries at the Portsmouth Naval shipyard too, afterall that has been one of the Seacoast's largest employers for decades, and public too.

What's the point, creating envy? There is nothing egregious on either of the lists. Where were you guys when the City of Dover was making $300,000 vacation payouts to it's police chief? Oops I guess you missed that one when you could have made a difference.
- Pete, Dover

this article makes it sound like many at UNH make high salaries while only discussing the Campus big wigs, ie, president, coaches, chairmen. many UNH staff are underpaid, as are many other people who live and work in NH, especially relative to the cost of living, ie, paying for heat, food, a mortgage etc... it's unfortunate that this article ignored that fact. the sooner NH adopts an income and or a sales tax the better off people, budgets will be. it must be implemented soon and care must be taken, but it is indeed a must and the only sustainable solution for NH's future. however, people just don't get it and they probably never will and they are frustratingly stubborn on the subject.
- Matt, Exeter

I would never accept the responsibility of being Governor for only $109K per year. I'd like to say thank you to all of our public servants for working for such peanuts. We should do better by you.
- DM, Manchester

Huddleston's salary is indeed low, and completely in line with his 24/7 responsibilities. One of the major responsibilities of any university president is raising money. If he can raise the endowment of UNH as he plans, and increase alumni contributions, grant monies, and other outside income, he's a tremendous bargain.

Do the math...$300k for 12,000 students. That's $25 each. Cut the president's salary in half, and see what you can get for that...not much, and you'd have a revolving door--not a good leadership model.

What I see as an alumni is a President committed to UNH in the long-term, one who actually knows enough students, faculty and members of the UNH community to truly understand what makes the campus tick. Now, about that hockey national title.... :)
- Frank, Plaistow

I think this article missed the point. Granted it produced a list of highly paid state employees, but failed to dig in deep enough to expose the nepotism and duplicated positions held in the USNH system. There are a lot of salaries at these Universities that can be justified, however, there are an equal amount that are extremely 'over' compensated. They are making that money based strictly on who they know, and seniority at the University, rather than what they contribute. I agree with previous commenter, you will not really know or truely feel the implications of this excess spending on administrators until you dig deeper into their very lucrative retirement benefits that yes, the citizens of New Hampshire are picking up the tab for!
- Robert, Clermont, FL

I can't believe all this anger towards the UNH President and other staff members at the school. Where have these people been living for all these years? This annual article is nothing NEW! Yes, educators at BIG schools make very high salaries. Sports coaches also make high salaries but, these sports programs also bring a lot of money into both the state and the school. As correctly stated these educators and administrators are not employees of the state. The article never said this was a salary list of ONLY state employees, people open your eyes and read properly, these were actually two lists involving State Employees and another list of University System Employees! The article actually ran the names and salaries from both lists together in the story which made for some confusion obviously for those who could probably use additional education in critical analysis or technical writing.
As for the State Troopers, how could anyone question their salary - would you do their job? Dealing with all the maniacs driving on the roads these days with no concern except themselves, how many of you really think you could do the job or want to do the job. It's not that easy!
If all of those people who commented on the fact that the Governor or others in State Government should have higher salaries, than make a donation to the State Treasury. I'm sure they would appreciate all the donations, otherwise get ready for some heavy-duty taxation in this State. They can't even afford kindergarten throughout the State, let alone hoe to distribute the money and you want to give all involved higher salaries? Where's the money going to come from ---- TAXES! Something that evreyone complains about, tries to pay as little as possible, ONLY gets involved with politically by calling their State Senator or Representatives and, most of these whiners have left other states to get away from TAXES!
It's pretty simple, you can't have it both ways.
- Doug, Lincoln

It's an unfortunate sign of the times when universities are one of the only growth business in the US these days. Like other quasi gov't institutions, they are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse that needs to be checked. As an NH resident, I not only help fund state higher ed thru my property taxes, but I have to pay the ridiculous tuition and board if I choose to send my kids through UNH system. This is most disturbing to me, particularly when 90% of the kids who graduate are unprepared, armed only with a worthless BA, woefully unprepared to enter the work force, and absolutley riddled with debt.
We need to rethink our need for these universities and go to a more specialized means of learning. 4 year undergrad degrees are a waste of time and energy in these fast paced days we live in, and put us all at a competetive disadvantage in a Global Economy. Let's get smart people.
- Patrick, Bedford, NH

Joe S. you are correct that businesses fund most of the detail pay.....but the pensions are funded by us and that is based on these pay levels. This is a ticking time bomb and one of the biggest reasons municipal budgets are going up
faster than inflation.
- Al, Windham

Most of us here at UNH have turned down higher paying private sector jobs to be here, to be contributing positively to the NH community. The people making negative comments have no clue what a sacrafice many of have made to be a part of this great institution. Keep in mind that many of have worked very hard over significant periods of our lives to get where we are,
Bill
- Bill, Durham

I think it's a gross misrepresentation not to mention that many of the UNH positions on this list are grant-funded by its research centers. NH taxpayers and UNH students pick up very little of the cost of these particular salaries, and their staff are hand-picked from all over the world. UNH is one of the top research institutions in New England, and centers like EOS and CCOM bring in millions of dollars of grant funds to UNH and the NH economy every year. These departments are among the best in the world at what they do ... the Director of EOS was part of a group which won a Nobel Prize last year. A % of these incoming grants are earmarked for general UNH funds, which I would guess only helps to keep tuition a bit lower for UNH students. I have always heard that UNH tuition is high because it receives so little funding from the State, compared to other states' colleges and universities.
- Pam, Alton

As a former athlete I just want to make a quick comment in regards to coaches salaries. I played Division i athletics for four years at a strong academic university, in PA. The coaches in the money making sports i.e. football, basketball and in UNH's case hockey traditionally make more than other coaches. At my school one coach made upawards of a million dollars a year. In closing I just want to mention that my coaches in college were way more involved in my personal development than any prof ever was. I am not saying I agree or disagree on either front I am just saying that for money making sports the salaries of these coaches are not uncommon in Division I athletics. And the if the university wants to continue to make money off of their athletic programs they will have to be competative in the industry, because good coaches bring in good talent which produces wins and thus generates revenue.
- Greg, Manchester

All you folks whining about the salaries of these people need to apply for the jobs or go back to school, graduate and then apply for the jobs!
These positions pay this amount for a reason and that is they require special skills/education that most do not have (including me).
All of the salaries are in line with other positions or similiar situations so get over it!!
- Mike, Manchester

Why is it not OK for state employees to make "good" salaries, but it's OK for you to do so? I didn't realize folks working in the public sector were supposed to take a vow of poverty.

Also, I'd say some of the top-paid USNH people on the list actually bring in more money than they make. A top professor in his or her field can bring in a lot more than their salary in grant or research money. You don't think Dick Umile or Sean McDonnell have brought in plenty of money as well as publicity for UNH and the state of New Hampshire?
- Greg, Manchester

UNH spokesman Kim Billings defends Mark Huddleston's salary...no wonder, when she makes $104,000 a year!!!!!
- Charles, Salem

I teach at UNH for 15 hours a week and make $20,000. One teacher that I work with is on the list making over $90,000 and he works around 5 hours a week. Very interesting.
- Henry Hague, Durham, NH

A rising tide will lift all boats.
Put the salaries in perspective to other comparable institutions, even in neighboring states and regions. I assume that all NH residents want NH to become more prosperous. To do that we must compete in the marketplace to get folks that can help us achieve that.
- Dave, Peterborough

WOW, the hokey coach at UNH makes more than the govenor??? and 300K + for the president of UNH? I am certainly not sending my kids to UNH,,, no way. some of these state workers are WAY OVERPAID....
- Bill Bailey, Epping NH

Nancy West needs to get her facts straight, USNH employees are not state employees. My understanding is that they are completely seperate from the state and that only a small portion of their funding actually comes from state funds. So why are they being compared to state employees? A better comparison would be to compare USNH salaries to those at other colleges and universities. I think this would show us if USNH salaries are reasonable or not. Nancy West is not comparing apples to apples here...
- Grant, Rochester

Holy cow! The UNH coach is making a lot of money and we have yet to see a National Title! What's wrong with this picture?
- Beth, Candia

While it is often fruitless to compare salaries especially due to overtime and special details, I chuckled when I noted that the Governor's driver makes more than the Governor!
- JB, Durham

Every one needs to get over the fact that life is not fair! If you want to make $300k then become the dean of a state university. You cannot make an MD's money if you are working for the state road crew and you cannot make road crew money wrapping burgers and a burger joint. If you want everyone to make the same amount of money regardless of the job then you really want communism.
All of the state job salaries are in line with the "norm" and if you ask me are too low in most cases (no I am not a state employee). You get what you pay for in this world and as a business owner I have learned that the worse place to save money is by nickel and diming your employees!!
- Jesse, Orford

When do we see the Union Leader's staff's salary?
- Rob, Manchester, NH

When are you hypocrites going to publish all of your Union Leader salaries?....Let me guess..its not going to happen...What are you afraid of?People may want to stop paying fifty cents to wrap there fish.
- Paul Nichols, Tampa,Florida

Why should anyone read these comments? More than half of these yahoos probably have never set foot on a college campus.

Any of these people could make MUCH more in the private sector. Granted there are perks for working in the govt (good benefits, job security), but when it comes down to it, these intelligent people could be making much more elsewhere.
- Shawn Perreault, Milton, NH

wow...now I know why I have to work a second job to send my daughter to U.N.H.....I hope those coaches and president are happy because I think they are thieves
- Tracy, Manchester

Well I can tell you this, my husband work for the DOT and make no where near this amount. He yearly is consideraly less tham the 50K.
- Lynn, North

First of all, to everyone complaining about the troopers; you all realize that extra duties are paid by the construction companies right? So its not a direct cost to the state, I mean, there is a cost in the sense that the state pays for the construction, but the construction companies hire the troopers. Just like I can hire a police escort for say a funeral. So don't bash the troopers unless you know what the heck you're talking about.

As for the rather high salaries of UNH officials, I agree they do seem rather high. I'm a pretty cheap guy but I believe in education. While I'm not a UNH grad I respect the institution and its graduates. For a small state we have a powerhouse University, on the field of sport and in the fields of academia. You need to spend money to make money, or rather you need to spend money to make excellence.
- Andrew, Manchester

Once again, the UL fails to exlplain what they print. They refer to the State Troopers salary and give the belief that taxpayers foot that salary. Much of that salary is based on work done on their own time...above and beyond the 40 hour work week they put in protecting residents of New Hampshire. Private companies have paid probably 30-40% of the salaries posted for the Troopers, as is the case w/the larger police agencies they also misrepresent each year! I love how Nancy West had to go higher than 50 to find a trooper, just so she could include a line about how it goes towards retirement. Maybe the UL will do a follow-up article and publish how many hours these people put in to earn their salary? Uh.....I doubt it. That would be fair?
- Joe S., Manchester

I am a physician assistant. I work for the federal govt and make 85000 approx, and have good benefits. Dr. Thomas Andrew was, in fact, one of my professors and he only makes 139,000. Come on people! He is getting robbed. He is one of the highest appointed docs in the state with exceptional responsibility and many people working under him, and that is all he is getting. For him, I am outraged. Docs usually make give or take twice what a physician assistant makes. This gentleman probably has 20 plus years experience on me (i have 8) and he is top notch.

NH you are getting a deal with him.

Truthfully,
Daniel L. O'Brien MPA-C
grad from Notre Dame 1st class, now MCPHS, and former state PA society VP.
- Dan, Manchester

It all comes down to one thing: The people that work the hardest get the smallest salary and the ones at the top that never get their hands dirty get the largest salary. It's the American way.
- Bill, Tuftonboro

To Jon from Rochester- The State Police are not suing the Highway Patrol for "stealing their details". Read the past articles regarding why the Highway Patrol was sued (which the Troopers won, by the way, but I suspect being from Rochester, home of the Highway Patrolman, you already know that). C'mon Jon, you're better than that!!!!!
- Cameron, Hampton

While these salaries are high, you have to consider that the appointed Higher Ed positions are being paid a competitive market rate. Considering that most of the teams that UNH plays against in D-I hockey are private institutions with large endowments, you need to be able to offer similar pay for coaches that are qualified. Same goes for Chancellors and Deans. What is incredibly frustrating is that the lower public sector employees (patrolman, teacher, etc) are underpaid and not supported. Our colleges are producing fine and qualified candidates for public sector work, only for them to leave for MA which provides better state pension, better benefits, and better pay. New Hampshire needs to consider if they want to face the truth that they need to move to a more comprehensive, full-time government that includes more tax revenue along with bringing in more industrial and commercial industry.
- Rob, Plymouth

I think these salaries are well deserved and that most of these people could do better in the private sector. Most of the people making negative comments would find it very difficult to step up and perform as the President of UNH.
- Tony, Goffstown

Well Trooper Harbor didn't retire, and she made $42,000 more than she did in 2006. Trooper Paul Massaro didn't retire either and he made $25,000 more than the cool $97K he earned in 2006! I tip my hat to these troopers for the sacrifices they make, because every hour working a detail is one less hour spending with their family. But someone help me to understand this. These are the people suing highway patrol officers (for among other reasons) because they were stealing their detail?
- Jon, Rochester

Good article to demonstrate the myth that state employees are underpaid. Even the rank and file have far more benefits and comperable pay than private sector and are immune to the re-orginzation and layoff pressures and productivity stress to perform. The employeer (taxpayer) surely works for the employee (state worker). Just look at CT and MA for our future as the Democrats expand their base - state and municipal employees.
- Michael, Hooksett, NH

To Tom in Hooksett, you forgot to include sports coaches in your comment. Also, I didn't happen to read in the article where any of these people stated they were "smarter than the public, more rational than the public, and have better unions than the public" Must have missed that line...
- Matt, Boscawen, NH

With the University you have to have someone with big credentials who can manage a huge multi-million dollar budget and raise money on the side for the school. These PHd guys cost big money, but they make it back for the school. With cops the more they work the more over-tired they are, and the quality of their work goes down. I'd not be against more pay for them, but they shouldn't be working so many hours that they are of diminished effectiveness. This governor deserves a big raise, just for his superb leadership! The state employees union is interesting, hardly anyone else here gets the benefits of unionization.
- Max Bourage, Manchester

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country". It's about time that every one makes sacrifices no matter what their position as a state employee may be. No body makes an individual leave the private sector to work for the state. That choice is of their own choosing. Apparently high salaries for state employees are an acceptable practice by the people in charge of the state. The reason being that this is the only way to get top quality persons wanting these positions. But yet these people in charge find that helping out low income families in need are not worthy of a more comprehensible cost of living needs. It should be considered a privilege and not a right to work for the state. Just like a NH drivers license that is issued.
- Brian, Lancaster

In the mean world of downsizing and cost cutting, the one area not effected by this is Colleges and Universities. It is bad enough college administrators are grossly overpaid.They are also T/As (teachers assistants) teaching classes while professors collect six figure salaries writing books nobody reads. They are many questions that need to be asked about where college tuition money goes.

As far as the governor goes he doesn't need a pay increase he just needs to be voted out in November.
- Chris, Merrimack

UNH is riddled with corrupt leftists. The legislature should do a salary review and begin cutting the fat out of the university system, starting with Huddleston's salary. It's unconscionable that these socialist parasites are allowed to feed at the public trough at such unbelievably high salary rates. Get out your cutting knife, governor lynch, and start gutting these outrageous salaries.
- Bob Hoskins, Derry

Let's not forget that the troopers have to work a multitude of extra hours for their money. These guys/girls are working 60+ hours a week to make that kind of money. The numbers listed for the UNH fat cats is their salary as in 40 hour work weeks. And to the knucklehead that thinks flagmen are the way to go...ever get a ticket from a flagman? Lose your license based on the actions of a flagman? I didn't think so. When someone blasts through an area that you are working in at 80 MPH and almost kills you, what's the flagman going to do? Wave his flag? Can the flagman stop him and make sure he doesn't actually kill someone? Ooops....not so much. Try not to be so short sighted.
- Jay PS, Manchester

A few weeks ago, The Union Leader posted an article about the state's desire to retain NH college graduates and encourage NH former residents to return to the state. While a lower cost of living is one reason that people may return, the public and private sectors in NH have to reevaluate salaries. As long as college (or graduate) educated people can make MUCH higher salaries less than 45 minutes from our border, it is going to be very difficult to convince people to work in NH. The salaries in this article seem high only in terms of what other NH-ites aren't making. Huddleston's salary is in line, if not low, for a university president. If we want a top notch university with top notch programs and sports, then we have to pay the faculty and staff to get there. NH-ites should stop complaining about how much others make and try to improve the status of the state as a whole AND find ways to raise revenue..another budget shortfall...maybe we should recognize that tax-free living has too many MAJOR drawbacks. I agree with Judge Broderick, no reason to slam those who are doing well, let's work to improve everyone else.
- Emma, Manchester

I really hope the Union Leader isn't trying to imply that state government spending is somehow "out of control" because state employees receive lavish salaries. Most state employees are woefully underpaid individuals whose pension benefits are now uncertain. How about an expose' on the average secretary or court clerk, who make about $21,000/year (i.e., less than a full-time grocery store cashier), with no possibility of overtime. Furthermore, judges and professors take MASSIVE pay cuts to enter public service from the private sector. If the state wants to retain competent professionals in its universities and courts - which is should - it has to pay them moderately well. This article is a waste of hot air, find some real pork to complain about.
- Jim M., Manchester

So, let's get this straight. Students routeinly take out thousands of dollars worth of loans (ensuring many years of debt and poor credit after college) and these fat cats in College Admiminstration are making over 200,000 a year? Yeah, that makes a ton of sense.
- Joe Ransmeier, Littleton, NH

This is ridiculous. The head of the state's university making more than the head of state? A football coach making almost as much? Clearly, some things need to change. First, university salaries need to be brought down closer to the $100k range. Second, the paid details for state troopers has to end. Flaggers should be hired by construction companies to deal with highway project safety, not state troopers. This would save even more money. If they don't like this, they can go work in another state.
- Tony, Concord

I hope that readers realize that the salaries and positions shown in this story are not those of the typical rank and file public employee. Most of the highest of the highly paid ones are appointments. In other words, yes an education is important, but in NH it's who you know not what you know that counts in having a highly paid job in the public sector.
Comparing these high salaries to reality, they are low when compared to the multi-million dollar, half-year of "work" salaries of the notorious sports figures. Of course, CEO's of major corporations also make the multi-million annual salary.
Gary L. Kerr
- Gary L. Kerr, Chichester

Academics, judges and cops. They're smarter than the public, more rational than the public, and have better unions than the public. Who ever said the public sector was under compensated was delusional.
- Tom, Hooksett

That's disgusting... No wonder why it is so expensive to get a education!
- Gary Palys, Allenstown

Nancy West, do you ever think that these Troopers work these extra details to pay for the education for their children or to stay on top of mortgage payments and other day to day bills, as opposed to doing them to "boost their retirement benefits"? Give me a break.
- Andrew, Manchester. NH