Age should never be the determining factor in a decision to encourage Faculty to leave. The staff has no evidence--empirical or otherwise--to indicate that age causes incompetence. If anything, we have encountered a positive correlation between longevity and teaching interest and ability. While we encourage all professors to retire or accept emeritus status if they feel the Faculty and student bodies would benefit from a replacement, no one should be bought out.

Furthermore, while an up-front payment for bad research may be good economics, it is a questionable educational principle. Our ultimate concern in all matters of Faculty hiring is to provide the highest quality student experience possible. The staff's position will not ensure this.