Top 5 Highest Michigan Public University President Salaries
I couldn’t really find a list of this with the most up to date information, so I decided to do some research myself. Below are the 15 public university president’s names and annual salaries – with citations of course. Most of the data acquired ultimately comes from the Chronicle of Higher Education’s website. You need an account to access it, but the accounts are free. Some of the data, however, is out of date.
There are two abnormalities that made this a somewhat hard list to compile. First off, there was my inability to find salary information for the current president of Wayne State University, Dr. Jay Noren. If anyone finds information for him, please let me know. I went ahead and looked at his predecessor’s pay information to place him.
Secondly, there was the departure of Michael Rao from Central Michigan University, who accepted the job of President of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. (In case you’re wondering, yes, it was a lucrative move for him; his salary jumped from $435,050 to $615,000.) The current interim Kathy Wilbur makes considerably less despite a pay increase to $230,000 – which doesn’t include any deferred compensation, retirement, etc.
Because of these things I decided to include six schools because I can’t actually find a salary for Dr. Noren from WSU; I estimated where Dr. Noren and a non-interm president of CMU would be on the list.
1. University of Michigan
Mary Sue Coleman – $760,196 (AnnArbor.com) – Includes 1 house provided by state, 1 car provided by state, $75,000 deferred compensation, $23,000 retirement pay, $30,200 supplemental retirement plan, $100,000 retention bonus
2. Michigan State University
Lou Anna Simon – $572,000 (AnnArbor.com) – Includes 1 car provided by state, $52,000 retirement pay
3. Western Michigan University
John Dunn – $465,407 (my estimate) – I know his base salary was just raised to $362,457. (MLive, WMU News) However, the Chronicle of Higher Education reports that in the 07-08 school year he received $50,000 in deferred compensation, $37,950 for retirement, and $15,000 stipend for a car (which, assuming none of those numbers went up, gives you my estimate). I also can’t put a value on his free, state provided house, so that isn’t calculated into the figure either.
4. Wayne State University
As mentioned before, I could not find the information for the current WSU president, Dr. Jay Noren. His predecessor, Irvin Reid made $428,596 which included $38,963 retirement pay, 1 car, and 1 state provided house according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Assuming a similar increase or perhaps comparable pay, it makes sense to assume that Dr. Noren’s salary probably falls somewhere below Dr. Dunn’s.
5. Central Michigan University
CMU’s Interim President, Kathy Wilbur, makes $230,000 (CM-Life). According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Wilbur’s predecessor, Michael Rao made $435,050 which included $15,500 deferred compensation, $46,000 retirement pay, $80,000 retention bonus, 1 car provided by the state, and 1 house provided by the state.
6. Oakland University
Gary Russi – $422,260 (Daily Tribune) – $72,260 in benefits; I don’t know the exact breakdown. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Mr. Russi receives 1 car and 1 house provided by the state.