LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A retiring University of Wyoming dean says the college is in danger of sinking into mediocrity unless it continues to attract and retain the best faculty available.

Addressing graduating students on Saturday, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Oliver Walter faulted the Wyoming Legislature for having a short-sighted policy on faculty salaries.

Walter says the university builds grand buildings and envisions "top-tier" status, but unless it attracts and retains the best faculty available, UW will sink into second-class status.

He says currently 75 percent of all American universities offer more lucrative faculty salaries than UW.

Walter is retiring in July after 43 years with UW.

UW Board of Trustees President David Bostrom tells the Associated Press that faculty salaries are among the top concerns of the board.

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