At the university where I worked, anyone with an id could check out from the library reserve desk a copy of the complete salary list for 2 hour loan. It could be photocopied if the person so desired.

Not everyone knew it was available. I had worked at the library reserve desk as a student, so I learned about it before I became staff. Watching the reactions of its readers, it sometimes caused stress for employees to have that level of complete disclosure.

I’m all for it in that limited circulation- though I wouldn’t want it on the internet as it seems to breech privacy. My husband still works at a university, and there are people who I don’t want to know his salary. We don’t need any “You could make so much more in the private sector” lectures from family members. There are more rewards in some jobs than mere salary.

So, maybe I’ll phrase it another way: If you think JoePa’s salary should be made public, should his assistant’s salary be public, too?