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News

Presidents Give Back as Budgets Tighten

January 18, 2010

Presidential pay at most public research universities has flatlined over the past year, with many leaders experiencing little or no increase in compensation. Some college chiefs have donated portions of their paychecks to stave off deeper cuts at their institutions, or to help students pay for college. Below are a few examples.

Leader/Institution

Pay cut

E. Gordon Gee, Ohio State U.

Donated his $320,850 bonus as part of a $1-million pledge for scholarships

J. Bernard Machen, U. of Florida

Donated $285,000 from his bonuses to the Florida Opportunity Scholarship

Lee T. Todd Jr., U. of Kentucky

Turned down $168,000 performance bonus

James R. Ramsey, U. of Louisville

Turned down $113,858 in bonus pay provided by the institution’s foundation

Gary D. Forsee, U. of Missouri system

Turned down his $100,000 bonus for 2008-9 and 2009-10

Michael J. Hogan, U. of Connecticut

Turned down a scheduled 5-percent pay increase, as well as a $100,000 bonus for the second year in a row

Sally K. Mason, U. of Iowa

Will not accept her $80,000 performance bonus this year

Gregory L. Geoffroy, Iowa State U.

Will not accept his $50,000 performance bonus this year

Michael M. Crow, Arizona State U.

Chose to have his salary reduced by around $27,400 instead of taking a mandatory 15-day furlough

Benjamin J. Allen, U. of Northern Iowa

Will not accept his $25,000 performance bonus this year

M. Roy Wilson, U. of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center

Took a voluntary 5-percent pay cut for the 2009-10 year

Judith A. Ramaley, Winona State U.

Will put her $12,000 bonus toward a new health and wellness center

Mary Sue Coleman, U. of Michigan system

Has requested a salary freeze for herself for the 2009-10 fiscal year

Larry A. Lundblad, Central Lakes College

Will put his bonus toward student aid

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Presidential pay at most public research universities has flatlined over the past year, with many leaders experiencing little or no increase in compensation. Some college chiefs have donated portions of their paychecks to stave off deeper cuts at their institutions, or to help students pay for college. Below are a few examples.

Leader/Institution

Pay cut

E. Gordon Gee, Ohio State U.

Donated his $320,850 bonus as part of a $1-million pledge for scholarships

J. Bernard Machen, U. of Florida

Donated $285,000 from his bonuses to the Florida Opportunity Scholarship

Lee T. Todd Jr., U. of Kentucky

Turned down $168,000 performance bonus

James R. Ramsey, U. of Louisville

Turned down $113,858 in bonus pay provided by the institution’s foundation

Gary D. Forsee, U. of Missouri system

Turned down his $100,000 bonus for 2008-9 and 2009-10

Michael J. Hogan, U. of Connecticut

Turned down a scheduled 5-percent pay increase, as well as a $100,000 bonus for the second year in a row

Sally K. Mason, U. of Iowa

Will not accept her $80,000 performance bonus this year

Gregory L. Geoffroy, Iowa State U.

Will not accept his $50,000 performance bonus this year

Michael M. Crow, Arizona State U.

Chose to have his salary reduced by around $27,400 instead of taking a mandatory 15-day furlough

Benjamin J. Allen, U. of Northern Iowa

Will not accept his $25,000 performance bonus this year

M. Roy Wilson, U. of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center

Took a voluntary 5-percent pay cut for the 2009-10 year

Judith A. Ramaley, Winona State U.

Will put her $12,000 bonus toward a new health and wellness center

Mary Sue Coleman, U. of Michigan system

Has requested a salary freeze for herself for the 2009-10 fiscal year

Larry A. Lundblad, Central Lakes College

Will put his bonus toward student aid

We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
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