This is in response to the Sun Journal editorial printed Oct. 16, “UMaine System salaries deserve careful scrutiny.”

The University of Maine System has worked hard to control costs during the past three years and has made good progress. As trustees of the system, we want to make sure that the public understands the extent of our work. Recent reports in the press have confused this issue somewhat and we would like to offer additional insight.

The actual number of university employees who earned salaries of $100,000 or more in 2010 is 246, less than 5 percent of our work force, not more than 1,000, as reported. The individuals represent the top management of our university system — coaches in major sports, as well as researchers and faculty in high-demand disciplines such as engineering, law, business and the sciences. More than two-thirds of these employees are faculty.

All management group appointments are approved by the board of trustees and salaries are set according to comparisons with other universities of similar size and complexity. A recent study also indicates that compensation for UMS faculty is at market for our peers nationally.

The financial environment in which we all exist today requires major reconsideration of how the university spends money. We understand that. Since 2008, the board of trustees has been committed to reducing costs and controlling tuition increases.

There have been no across-the-board increases for employees since fiscal year 2009, and no executive pay increases since fiscal year 2008. The university work force has been reduced by 7 percent since 2007 through the elimination of 397 full-time equivalent positions. Increases in total payroll have come almost entirely from increased costs of fringe benefits, particularly health care and retiree health care.

The UMS has diligently worked to cut $33 million out of the budget during the past three years and, in May, the board approved the lowest weighted average tuition increase in 10 years, with comprehensive student charges (weighted average of tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board) for 2011-12 rising just 3.3 percent for in-state undergraduates.

We all recognize that the financial outlook for both Maine and the nation will further limit revenues from state appropriation and tuition, requiring all of us, as stewards of the university, to work harder to reduce the cost of delivering education and to ensure the best possible future for Maine and its citizens.

M. Michelle Hood, Bar Harbor, chairwoman

Samuel W. Collins, Caribou, vice chairman

Gregory G. Johnson, Harpswell,

Academic Affairs Committee chairman