Some university presidents in Illinois were among the highest paid in the country. That’s according to an annual survey from The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The survey reports during the 2006-2007 academic year, 89 private college presidents took home more than half a million dollars. That’s 10 percent more than the year before. Northwestern University President Henry Bienen earned close to $1.7-million in total compensation.
University spokesman Alan Cubbage says Bienen’s pay package is appropriate.
CUBBAGE: President Bienen has been here for more than a decade.The trustees obviously review his performance and review the market, see what’s out there. And make an adjust base on what is a fair level of compensation.
Salaries and incentives for public university presidents are climbing too. Up nearly 8 percent last year. Among the top earners is University of Illinois President Joseph White. The survey reports he made close to a half million dollars.
I’m Tasha Flournoy, Chicago Public Radio.