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California Faculty Association questioning administrator salaries

September 12, 2011

The California Faculty Association has launched a new online ad targeting pay packages for California State University executives – more backlash from the board of trustees’ decision in July to pay a new campus president $100,000 more than his predecessor on the same day they approved increases in student tuition. [CaliforniaWatch]

The ad, launched last week, features Monopoly money raining down on a smiling Rich Uncle Pennybags. It links to an online petition that says CSU leaders are “out of touch” and presses for “a new pattern of public service that is appropriate for leaders of a public institution.” Some 3,000 people have signed the petition so far, California Watch said.

Amidst public outcry and a stinging rebuke from Gov. Jerry Brown, CSU trustees voted this summer to pay new San Diego State University President Elliot Hirshman $350,000 in state funds plus $50,000 in private pay. Former San Diego State President Stephen Weber made $299,435, according to a CSU compensation study.

The same day, the CSU trustees raised student tuition by 12 percent.

In January, the California State University Board of Trustees approved a $350,000 yearly salary for incoming Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong, making him the highest paid university president in the CSU system. In addition to his salary, he is provided with housing.

Former Cal Poly President Warren Baker previously held the top paid president position at the CSU making $328,000 a year.

Around the same time, Cal Poly reduced its student body numbers because of budget constraints.

Legislators introduced two bills this summer to limit CSU executive compensation, but both stalled. Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-San Jose, proposed a bill to place a cap on CSU administrative pay increases at no more than 10 percent in a year when there has been a tuition increase for students. Another bill by Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, would prohibit pay raises for top administrators at UC and CSU in bad budget years, California Watch said.

Any reform legislation would likely have an impact soon as two CSU presidents, CSU Northridge President Jolene Koester and San Francisco State University President Robert Corrigan, are in line to retire.


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Can we just make a list of all of this public servants / overpaid clowns and then start going down the list, one by one, finding a way to cut all of their salaries. These guys are definitely not worth this kind of money.. I really think they are confused about what goes on in private industry. This thing called government appears to have gained self awareness, and now it’s fighting back when we try to turn it off.


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That’s easy enough since the Sacramento Bee has already done some of the heavy lifting…


http://www.sacbee.com/statepay/


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Excellent posts all.

This is a topic long overdue for discussion. The raping of taxpayer dollars to pay outrageous salaries and perks for the employees of the top tier of public colleges is a long and well recorded history. It is way past time for a change…


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We need more measure’s A & B. It’s time that we the people take control of the government spending.


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I agree with you, easymoney; however, if an administrator/president/coach is performing and bringing home the bacon, then they should get their big money. It is not the prettiest side of capitalism, but it is the side that motivates “doers” to really perform.


Of course, on the flip side, if they’re just “meeting rats” that hide within the bureaucracy, then that does need to be addressed.


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Don’t forget… it’s actually more than $350K, that’s just base salary. In addition there is $30K pulled a year from the Cal Poly Foundation, $12K a year car allowance, and an undisclosed housing allowance.


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In the Federal government, no one is allowed to make more than the President, the same should be true in California. No State employee should make more than the Governor whether it come from public or ‘private’ sources.


Really makes me want to peek into the files of the various Cal Poly Foundations, don’t you?


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They would just increase the governor’s pay then. Don’t be fooled, people who enjoy fleecing “the unseen” masses like doing it. Whether they are in academia, government, or big insurance (or whatever the “evil” corporation is this week).


It’s just too easy to get paid from “funds” rather than from people or a person. It removes a LOT (if not ALL) accountability. It is the system that is flawed. People will always be flawed.


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Hey, do you know who the highest paid state employees are? UC football coaches — at over $7 million. How’s that for “fleece?”


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That’s true, but sports programs often pay for themselves and a lot of the school, if they’re a winning sports college. Sad but true; and good point.


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r0y,


Nope. The governor’s pay is controlled by a commission. The People have much more control over the governor’s pay than almost any other state employee.


http://www.dpa.ca.gov/cccc/main.htm


Using the governor’s pay as a cap would be a giant leap forward!


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That won’t stop the corruption. They’ll find some other way to get them their money–under the table. I’m sure that it’s happening right now.


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And should we also limit SLO City salaries to what the Mayor earns?


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