Because it was a sideways move (in other words, I was already working for the same university) it would have been illegal for them to lower my pay. Ironically,

Because it was a sideways move (in other words, I was already working for the same university) it would have been illegal for them to lower my pay. Ironically, them telling me I was underqualified (specifically, I didn't have doctorate) spurred me on to go and get one. I had basically hit the ceiling for a Mr. in a university.