Social polarization in American academia: Pay for US university presidents soars

The Chronicle noted that the pay of presidents at public universities, which rely in part on state funding, has risen markedly, with the number of presidents receiving annual compensation of more than $500,000 nearly doubling, from 23 to 42. The survey was based on data from 853 private and public universities and colleges. The median pay for presidents of public universities rose about 4 percent in 2004-2005 over the previous academic year, to $374,846.

University of Delaware President David Roselle was the highest-paid public university president, receiving just under $980,000 in 2004-2005, $260,000 more than he received just one year earlier. Rounding out the top five were Martin Jiscke (Purdue University—$880,950), Mark Emmert (University of Washington—$752,700), J. Bernard Machen (University of Florida—$751,725) and Mary Sue Coleman (University of Michigan—$742,148). Last year, Coleman was the highest-paid public university head, with a compensation package worth $724,604.

The median pay for private university presidents in 2004-2005 was higher, at $497,046. Seven presidents of private schools received compensation packages worth more than $1 million last year, according to the Chronicle. First on the list with a total compensation package worth nearly $2.75 million is Audrey Doberstein, recently retired president of Wilmington College in Delaware.

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http://wsws.org/articles/2006/dec2006/univ-d06.shtml