Sir, – An article published in the Evening Gazette on May 29 reported that the vice–chancellor of the University of Teesside earns £237,000 pa.

Under a Freedom of Information request to the university, I discovered that the figures used were based on the vice-chancellor’s “total emoluments” (rather than simply his salary) i.e. including all other taxable benefits such as company car, private health care, and bonuses, and were for 2008-09 (£237,585) and 2007-08 (£202,508). The figures for his total emoluments for the financial year 2009-10, which has not yet been completed, will be published within the 2009-10 financial statements later in the year.

There are another six members of university staff (excluding the vice-chancellor) who are currently on an annual salary of over £100,000.

They hold the following roles: deputy vice-chancellor (research and enterprise), role currently held by Prof C Hardcastle; deputy vice-chancellor (learning and student experience), role currently held by Prof C MacDonald; deputy vice-chancellor (development), role previously held by Prof C Allan (left December 2009), role currently held by Prof E Martin (from June 1, 2010); university secretary and registrar, role currently held by Mr J M McClintock; executive director (finance and planning), role currently held by Mr A E Oliver; Dean of the School of Health and Social Care, role currently held by Prof P Keane.

What immediately strikes me is that they are all administrators and none actually involved in actual face-to-face teaching of students. In this regard, surely the University of Teesside has its priorities the wrong?

SANDY MURRAY Rowen Close, Ingleby Barwick.