When did "Low 20s" for a job at a supposedly advanced level, presumably requiring substantial experience, located in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., become a reasonable salary? Why are people who are qualified for these jobs not entitled to ask to be paid accordingly? An apartment in any halfway decent area of LA less than 20 miles from UCLA is going to cost close to $700 per month, at the minimum, and apartments within 5 miles at least $900 per month (but at least then you could walk to work--but you'd still need to have a car, if only to prove to your work associates that you're neither too disabled, too criminal, or too poor ((the worst!!)) to be able to have one. Add such frivolities as utilities, food, clothing, and expenses for said car, and you are talking about a minimum of $1200 in monthly expenses for a job that pays circa $16,000 after taxes. Sorry, but I've traveled enough to places like ND to know that there is an enormous difference in the cost of living between Bismarck and LA. My own feeling is that UCLA wants to hire someone who doesn't need the money; this happens with museums and universities in Britain all the time. What they really want is someone with the right contacts, ability to raise money, and a good wardrobe, who is willing to work for peanuts in return for a nice title and association with an elite, or at least snobby, institution. Adrienne DeAngelis [log in to unmask]