University President Dave Frohnmayer earns the second-highest salary in the state for public university presidents, but his compensation is much less than some of the country’s other public university presidents, according to a recently released report.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, which last week published a study of presidents’ salaries from private universities for 2002-03 and public universities for 2003-04, more than a quarter of the 131 presidents surveyed earned more than $400,000. Twelve public university presidents will earn more than $500,000 this year while only six had similar earnings last year.
Frohnmayer will earn $278,024 this year, according to the Oregon University System. Oregon State University President Edward Ray earns the highest salary in the state at $295,000 this year and University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman is at the top of the income bracket of the public universities surveyed, earning $677,500 this year.
Frohnmayer receives a base pay of $170,396 from the state with $107,628 from private funds. The private fund comprises $90,000 from the UO Foundation and $17,628 from an endowed chair. His housing and car are also provided to him, via the state and the UO foundation, respectively.
OUS Chancellor Richard Jarvis said a university president’s salary is determined by their performance as well as the economic history of the state.
“It’s a mixture of what the market situation is at the time the president is hired,” he said.
Jarvis said there has been a salary freeze during the past couple of years because of the state’s budget crisis, and he worries Frohnmayer could be tempted by pay packages from other universities.
“He’s regarded clearly as an extremely successful president,” Jarvis said, adding that most presidents’ tenures last about five years. Frohnmayer is in his 10th year as University president.
Jarvis said university presidents’ high salaries are warranted because of their responsibilities.
“The more the state cuts, the more important the president’s performance becomes,” he said.
Student reaction to Frohnmayer’s salary is mixed.
Even though senior Jamie Tripp is not familiar with Frohnmayer’s responsibilities, she said she feels his salary is too high.
“I just personally don’t think it’s necessary for anyone to make over $100,000,” she said.
Senior Gabrielle Guidero said she doesn’t have a problem with the salary if other university presidents generally make the same amount of money.
“I assume his salary reflects the industry, the market for college presidents,” she said. But Guidero added that during this time of higher education cuts, she would have a problem if Frohnmayer received a raise.
Vice President for Student Affairs Anne Leavitt said she thinks Frohnmayer earns every penny he makes.
“I believe that the responsibilities of the university president today are huge,” she said. “It is an extremely challenging job.”