Duke Community Calls for Pay Cut: ‘Duke, Don’t DOGE!’

A growing number of Duke community members are urging President Vincent Price and high-ranking administrators to take voluntary 25% pay cuts. This call comes as part of the University’s ongoing efforts to save costs during troubling financial times.

Over two dozen groups from the local area have signed a letter titled “Duke, Don’t DOGE!” The letter demands an immediate stop to layoffs and asks for a pay reduction for administrators earning over $1 million annually. More than 120 individuals have joined a petition echoing these sentiments, seeking salary cuts for the highest-paid administrators, with support from the American Association of University Professors.

The signatories believe that reducing administrative pay would be a tangible show of solidarity and help protect jobs and maintain the quality of education at Duke. With the University facing a significant budget cut target of $350 million due to potential federal funding losses, many feel that the burden of these cuts should not fall primarily on staff and workers who are already vulnerable.

These pay cuts are aimed at safeguarding jobs amid the rollout of a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP). Announced in late April, the VSIP was designed to lessen the impact of layoffs by offering compensation to eligible employees who voluntarily leave the University. However, many worry that without substantial reductions from top earners, the intended goal might not be met.

The “Duke, Don’t DOGE!” letter also points to the University’s substantial financial resources—an endowment of $11.9 billion and recent acquisitions totaling millions—as evidence that the austerity measures disproportionately affect the most vulnerable while higher-ups continue to draw big salaries.

Daniel Ennis, Executive Vice President, mentioned that achieving a 10% reduction in expenses would significantly impact employees. The letter from the community, however, argues that the financial sacrifices should be more evenly distributed, stating, “If this crisis is real, let its burden be shared equitably.”

Signers of the petition include Duke staff, students, alumni, and community members who believe these salary cuts could yield approximately $6.6 million in savings.

Foxx Hart, a student involved in organizing the petition, expressed a desire for accountability from university leadership. Hart noted that similar calls have emerged from leaders in other institutions, including Harvard University’s President Alan Garber, who announced his intention to take a pay cut amid financial challenges.

As the community continues to rally support, social media is buzzing with reactions. Many students and staff are sharing their thoughts on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, sparking discussions about the ethics of salary disparities in challenging economic climates.

This situation underscores a broader national trend where universities, facing financial strains, are re-evaluating their budgets and workforce structures. The call for salary reductions among top executives reflects a growing expectation for institutional leaders to share the burden during tough times.

The Duke community remains hopeful for a resolution that prioritizes both the institution’s financial health and the welfare of its staff and students alike.



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