The author replies to Tabbutt

Let me reassure Professor Tabbutt that I am very much aware of salary levels in smaller--and some larger--institutions, although I question the extent to which senior faculty receive six-figure salaries. I dealt with this point in my second and third suggestions: faculty should be paid on a twelve-month basis. However, the more important issue is the purpose for which faculty get paid at all, which was the thrust of the commentary. Contrary to the implication in the letter, I do not question salary supplementation for major curriculum development. I do, however, question it for individual course development. That faculty understandably are compelled to supplement inadequate salaries during the summer is indeed regrettable, but expecting to get paid extra for doing that for which they presumably already are paid does nothing to bring about the systemic change that is required.