When the Arizona Board of Regents approves a 46 percent pay raise for President Peter Likins, it will be making an important statement that strong university presidents are vital to the academic well-being of the state ÷ but it couldnāt be doing so at a worse time.

The state is facing a fiscal crisis, the likes of which have not been seen for more than a decade, and the universities are facing deep budget cuts that have already forced hundreds of layoffs. And just as Likins begins reaping the benefits of his new, $468,500 per year compensation package, thousands of staff and non-tenured faculty are wondering how long they will be able to count on the UA for a paycheck.

The only real reason the regents are increasing Likinsā salary now is because Arizona State University offered its incoming president, Ivy League administrator Michael Crow, a package worth the same amount.

And while it is a sound policy for both universities to have similar presidential salaries, Likins said earlier this year that he would not feel comfortable accepting a pay raise during a time of slicing budgets. Nor has he shown any signs that he is thinking of leaving the UA anytime soon for a more lucrative job.

With all these factors in play, the regents shouldnāt be in such a rush to increase Likinsā compensation by nearly $150,000 a year. Although Likins is easily worth that much, his raise alone could pay the salaries of seven low-level staff members.

Sure, Likinsā compensation comes from a different pot of money than staff salaries. But the move still sends a message to the universityās rank and file ÷ that regents are willing to fork over six figures to raise the presidentās pay during a budget crunch, but that they donāt mind letting maintenance workers and secretaries fear for their jobs.

Likins, stuck in the middle of a debate he can do little to stop, has done the best he can to be diplomatic. He should be commended for his decision to donate to the UA Foundation his $25,000 base salary increase, and for his candor in explaining the awkward situation to the campus community.

The UA needs to continue offering its top officials competitive salaries, and with their move, the regents are ensuring that presidential pay here will be enough to attract the nationās top academic minds to replace Likins when he does retire.

But we canāt help but wonder if this decision would have been equally effective two years down the road, when the state will likely be out of its fiscal mess and able to protect the jobs of all university employees.