Emmert says his own salary is on the table as UW decides on cuts

Responding to one of the toughest crowds he's faced in nearly five years as University of Washington president, Mark Emmert said Tuesday he's willing to take a look at his own salary as the UW prepares for substantial cuts.

"Everyone wants to talk about my pay," Emmert told a crowd of several hundred faculty and students who'd gathered for a town hall-style budget meeting. "Everything is on the table ... including that."

Some students arrived carrying banners protesting the projected cuts or Emmert's salary. Emmert was heckled and interrupted several times. But he managed to stay in control of the meeting with some quick responses that drew laughter and applause.

Emmert offered few new specifics. He said the UW needs to first see the state Senate's proposed budget, expected later this month.

Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposed budget, released in December, called for a 13 percent cut at universities.

But given the state's deteriorating financial situation, many now fear lawmakers might seek cuts in the 20 percent range, partially offset by tuition increases of 10 to 15 percent.

Given that backdrop, Emmert's annual compensation of $905,000 — second highest among all public university presidents — has increasingly become a bone of contention.

So, too, has the compensation of football coach Steve Sarkisian, who will make at least $1.75 million this year, and his assistants.

Emmert told the crowd he wasn't going to defend the "silly" salaries paid to coaches, adding that the athletic department is self-supporting.

Last November, as the budget problems surfaced, Emmert said he wouldn't accept a raise. Washington State University President Elson Floyd, meanwhile, announced he was taking a voluntary pay cut of $100,000 a year.

The UW announced earlier this week that 34 fundraising-support staff were being laid off and other positions going unfilled. Emmert has said that in total, 600 to 800 positions could be lost due to the budget.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com