This is where we part company somewhat, I don't believe because of pay and academics you have to settle. To be blunt and this isn't personal, but alumni like yourself and many more need to get the hell of that and hold the bar higher... hold the admins bar higher.
Barry ball and all that this is who we are stuff over the past 25 years has you all snowed. You CAN BE greater if you only allow it. Yes, Pack it's possible to achieve more with less...been there done that but step 1 in any program is not
"accepting who we are" but "demanding more from everyone every day" Change the culture.