Alum82 -
I am very appreciative to the University for my wife's employment and the educational benefit I received over the past four years. We are currently see a fork in the road for us in the future. We desire to move to be closer to family, but we also love Lynchburg and Liberty. Staying in Lynchburg, for many reasons, does not seem like the best choice, but we will gladly stay here until the right opportunity comes along elsewhere. In our case, my wife would love to spend more time at home. The problem is that I would be very unlikely to find employment at the university making what she is now. My wife applied for a similar job at a public college in a midwestern state. She did not get the job, but I can tell you that the starting salary was double her current one. In my mind, one of the reasons that state has so much financial difficulties is because they are paying their employees so much! Of course, given the opportunity to move closer to family and double her salary, the choice would be a "no brainer."
I don't know how LU compares to other institutions in the area and state. I love Liberty and am glad that our financial house is in much better shape than when I was here as an undergrad in the 90's. One thing that I do know, however, is that there is great turnover in some departments. I see many employees who are young grads, and they have found their first real job at the University, but they don't see this as a long term deal. Some of the turnover is due to the characteristics of the current generation, but some of it is because Liberty is in a position to hire cheap labor. This is not a criticism - I think that it is good stewardship, and provides great opportunities for some of our grads. It is disappointing, however, when some of the best employees, who would otherwise remain, leave for greener pasture.
I don't have any solution, but I hope I have offered a fair critique of the University I love!
- By jmclaughlin
- By LUOrange
- By olldflame