Why turn down a free lecturer?

Stuff reports:

A much-loved Victoria University lecturer is bowing out – though not without a last ditch effort to stay.

History, philosophy, political science and international relations associate professor Dr Jay Shaw will teach his last class in November, after retiring from full-time employment in 2011.

However, Shaw, who had been on fixed-term teaching contracts for the past four years, said he was forced into retirement and did not want to leave.

The 74-year-old even offered to teach the courses for free.

“I was told they couldn’t renew my contract and I had to leave at the end of the year. I told them I was willing to teach without any pay, but I got a negative reply.”

Universities often say they are short of money. So why turn down the offer of a free lecturer?