We often hear the state’s Republican leaders complain that we shouldn’t pay people not to work. They rehash this old theme every time they want to criticize the idea of ​​giving unemployment benefits to laid-off workers. If you pay someone a weekly stipend, they’re less likely to look for a job, the argument goes.

This attitude apparently does not apply to university presidents.

The University of Florida board appears to be willing to pay Ben Sasse $1 million a year for at least the next three and a half years. This is the same Ben Sasse who recently resigned as UF president after only 17 months on the job. Seventeen months, not 17 years. He was only there for one full football season. Now that’s a financial windfall.

His amended contract states that he will receive his base salary of $1.04 million per year at least through February 2028 or—here’s the kicker—until he finds a new full-time job. Priceless! Many in Tallahassee’s ruling class are excited by the idea of ​​reducing the financial crumbs the state provides to recently unemployed workers. These austerity measures are designed to get them to “get off the couch” and start looking for a job. The university just gave Sasse a million reasons a year to delay his job search. Where are all these financial hawks now? Shouldn’t they be squawking about this extravagant payment plan that doesn’t require you to actually work and the lack of incentives for Sasse to get off the university payroll and find full-time employment?

Of course, only $250,000 of the president’s salary can come from public funds, with the rest coming from private donors and foundations. But no matter where the money came from, it was intended to improve the university. If it didn’t go to Sasse, it could go to something — or someone — else. Maybe textbooks or scholarships? Kent Fuchs, the former president who is stepping in while UF looks for its next leader, will get $1 million a year, but he will have to actually work.

Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, will serve as president emeritus, professor and outside adviser to board of trustees chairman Mori Hosseini, according to the new contract. None of this is a full-time position. In fact, it could hardly be work. Any title with “emeritus” in it usually means freedom to choose your own hours. And whatever Sasse learned during his 17 months as president, is it really worth $1 million a year plus health insurance to advise Hosseini, who is already one of the state’s most politically connected officials?

According to some reports, relations between Hosseini and Sasse were strained at the time of Sasse’s resignation. Sasse’s spending as university president has also come under scrutiny recently. Just as the financial package could prevent Sasse from seeking a full-time position, the same could be said about publishing any complaints about Hosseini or others associated with the university. The deal provides a financial incentive not to make a fuss. Is it worth him risking a million dollars a year to expose the university’s secrets?

Sasse said he resigned to focus on his duties as a husband and father after his wife recently suffered a medical setback. Sounds like a person with his priorities straight. Whether you like Sasse or not, whether you think he’s a good university president or not, he’s not the one who agreed to this financial gold rush. It’s hard to blame anyone for taking what’s offered to them. But Hosseini and all the suddenly quieter voices in Tallahassee have no such excuse. Many of them rail against the waste of taxpayer money and paying people not to work. Where is that barking now?