I am disappointed to learn that the University of Michigan President is on the list of 17 at public universities who earn more than $500,000 per year. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Mary Sue Coleman. I met her back in 2002 after she was installed as the University’s 13th President. She was personable, warm and quite engaging. Moreover, her vigorous defense of the University’s affirmative action program totally won me over. However, when you consider that the Michigan legislature has cut funding to the University by close to $40million over the last two years, I think her salary is a bit over the top. Particularly since this reduction in funding has also meant some job losses as well some cuts in the number of classes offered. Sure Michigan is a complex organization and we want someone of her caliber to run the school, but that sort of salary in these difficult times even if privately funded it a bit much.