This is all well and fine when money is around. But the new reality is that academics, and not support staff, are what generate money and reputation. In my institution we have the ridiculous situation where some support staff are paid almost as much as academics, and in some instances more than new researchers that we are trying to encourage. Academics are the jewel in an institution’s crown, they need to be preserved and treated well, support staff in places like e-learning and staff development are mostly a luxury that in tough times we should do without.