Ad hoc committee studies 'sabbatical problem'

Old Dominion, NC -- (WZIP, 2/7/07) After yesterday's salary-cut vote by Lenoir-Rhyne University's Faculty Senate, designed to garner elegibility for Federal Food Stamp subsidies for a majority of faculty members, an ad hoc committee was appointed to study the question of how those on sabbatical would support themselves, undisclosed sources said.

"Any idea that there is a problem here is simply silly," stated George Riley, a University public relations spokesperson, when queried. "There is no problem. Faculty receive full salary and benefits during their sabbaticals. We're a caring community here. Everyone is treated like 'family'."

Two faculty representatives from the ad hoc committee countered, however, that full-pay for many is "barely above the welfare level," and that most faculty have to "supplement their income by bagging groceries at local grocers or by moonlighting at local gas stations."

Riley denied any knowledge of such cases among the faculty. However, he conceded that "some faculty may occasionally teach overload courses when there is a need." Nevertheless, he firmly denied the existence of any significant problem.

Meanwhile, an investigative reporter for WZIP, Scott Johnson, interviewed LRU Professor Philbert Edgerton, a professor of Palethnology currently on sabbatical. Johnson met Prof. Edgerton in classrooom at LRU just after one of his classes had concluded.

"If you're on sabbatical, why are you teaching," asked Johnson. "Because I have to put bread on the table during my sabbatical, and I cannot support myself and my family without supplementing my salary," Edgerton said.

"You mean, you have to work during your sabbatical?"

"Yes. However, I have to teach only four courses per semester during my sabbatical, as opposed to ten, which is considerable relief" he replied.

"Ten courses per semester?"

"Yeah, well, only four of those are part of my official load. The other six courses are overloads, to make ends meet," said Edgerton.

At least one member of the Board of Trustees is rumored to have suggested what he called "creative financing." When pressed for a definition, he is said to have offered an example instead. "He suggested, 'off the record', that faculty could resign their positions and go on the federal 'dole' during their sabbaticals, with the understanding that they could be rehired when their sabbatical was completed," an undisclosed source said.