Thrifty pay?

Tensions over the pay rise awarded to Warwick University vice-chancellor Nigel Thrift have continued this week.

Professor Thrift was granted a £16,000 increase to his salary, taking his income to £332,000 amid widespread protests by University staff and lecturers for fair pay.

Around fifty students attended a protest this week, put together by the organisation Protect the Public University (PPU).

Several of the University’s sabbatical officers were in attendance, with Lucy Gill, the Students’ Union (SU) postgraduate officer, giving a speech to the students at the protest.

Campaigns Officer for Warwick Labour, Miguel Matos, was satisfied with the demonstration.

He commented: “We’re living in a very special moment of resurgence of student activism and it was great that at this time we could count on the public support of our SU.”

Second year student councillor, Remy Osman, defended the vice-chancellor’s pay increase: “He has presided over the continued growth and success of Warwick.

The £19 million surplus is a testament to that, and has been earmarked for future building and investment works.”

A representative of Warwick Liberal Democrats also commented on the issue.

“The university sector is certainly a major part of building a stronger economy, but it is important to remember that for this to be sustainable we must also build a fairer society.”

A spokesman for the University stated: “This new pay level is still ranked below the top ten Russell Group Vice-Chancellor’s salaries.

The Times Higher Education reports that the average increase in vice-chancellorial salaries in Russell Group institutions this year was 8.1 percent.

“The [increase] is comparable to the average pay increase for many Warwick staff this year, who saw total pay increase between four and five percent due to pay awards, and their annual pay point progression, or annual salary review.”