University chiefs see smaller raises; UW, WSU still near top

The poor economy is finally putting the brakes on the skyrocketing pay of public-university presidents, The Chronicle of Higher Education found in its annual survey of executive pay.

The Chronicle, which surveyed 185 public institutions, found the median compensation for university leaders was $436,000 last year, a 2.3 percent increase over the previous year. That was much smaller than past increases, which ranged from 7.6 to 18.9 percent in each of the previous four years.

The Chronicle found that University of Washington President Mark Emmert remains the second-highest paid public-university president in the country. Emmert's compensation package totals $905,000, putting him behind only E. Gordon Gee of Ohio State University.

Washington State University President Elson Floyd earned $648,000 last year, making him the 16th highest-paid president at a public institution. He would have made the top 10 if not for taking a voluntary $100,000 pay cut in 2008 in response to the faltering economy and university budget cuts.

Both Emmert and Floyd continue to perform better in pay rankings than their universities perform in quality rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranks the UW as the 11th best public university in the country, and WSU as the 52nd best. When it comes to research size, however, the UW ranks among the top two or three public institutions by most measures.

Gee continued to be the only public president making over $1 million annually — earning $1.58 million last year. The Chronicle noted that Gee donated $321,000 from a university bonus to help endow a scholarship fund.

The Chronicle found that more than one-third of public-university presidents didn't get a pay raise last year, and 10 percent experienced a decline in their total compensation. When adjusted for inflation, the university leaders' pay increase averaged 1.1 percent.

Emmert did not get a pay raise last year, although he did negotiate a paid, six-month sabbatical to be taken after June 2012.

Floyd, meanwhile, stands to earn a $500,000 retention bonus if he stays until 2012.

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