A couple of terms come to mind about the big pay raises awarded to some top officials at the University of Connecticut — arrogant and greedy. In terms of public relations, it was also not very smart.

The increases, reports the Connecticut Mirror, began in late 2014. They continue even as workers in many state agencies face layoffs and students confront continuing tuition hikes, and after rank-and-file university employees were denied a negotiated wage increase.

UConn President Susan Herbst awarded the university’s general counsel, attorney Richard Orr, an annual increase from $220,000 to $275,000 and eligibility for a $25,000 annual bonus.

Chief Architect Laura Cruickshank received a $58,000 wage hike to $283,000.

Herbst received a $29,500 raise in January, $125,000 bonus in May and is scheduled for another $40,000 bonus this summer, reported the office of Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, which also noted increases for the president’s deputy chief and for athletic staff as well.

The increases total about $444,000 annually, excluding bonuses, according to the Mirror.

“The tone-deaf decision to hand out these large raises shows that the university is in desperate need of additional oversight,” wrote Fasano. “Where is the UConn Board of Trustees?”

That’s a good question.

We note that the disgust is bipartisan.

“At a time when painful reductions are being imposed throughout state government, UConn should not see itself as an isolated and privileged exception. I urge President Herbst to reconsider and rescind these untimely raises,” read the statement issued by Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven.

In contrast to the big-wig raises, the union representing non-teaching professionals agreed to rework a contract that called for raises from 3 percent to 4.5 percent over several years after state legislative leaders sent the signal they would not approve it.

The president’s explanation was the typical rationale provided in such situations. To retain top personnel in key positions UConn must offer competitive compensation to compete with other universities.

Yet, when so many are sacrificing, is it too much to ask that top leaders at UConn sacrifice a bit, too?