Presidential pay draws mixed views
President Ed Ray's pay is just above the national median
Amanda Robbins
Issue date: 12/1/06 Section: News
In July, OSU President Ed Ray received a 15 percent pay increase - raising his salary from $295,000 to $340,000 a year - according to Mark McCambridge, the vice president of finance and administration.
"This outraged me," said Ashley Allenby, the ASOSU director of student affairs. "With all of the financial problems OSU is having along with how little funding students are getting, I am surprised we are able to give our university president a 15 percent increase in his salary."
Ray also receives $32,318 in retirement and the use of a house and a car. His total compensation is estimated at $372,326 per year.
Portland State University President Daniel B. Bernstine and University Of Oregon President David B. Frohnmayer received 15 percent increases as well.
Ray is paid approximately just above the national median - which represents a point where half of all presidents fall above and half fall below . He makes slightly more than half of what the UO President David Frohnmayer makes. Frohnmayer's total compensation is $500,233.
Sixty-seven percent of all presidents of public universities are paid in the same price bracket as Ray.
Students offered mixed reactions to Ray's pay increase.
"This seems like a fairly big increase, especially considering that the budget keeps getting cut," said Leah Austed, a senior in natural resources.
"I support the decision," said Ben Hampton, a junior in accounting. "I do not know Ed Ray personally, but I believe he is doing a good job on campus."
These increases are happening nationwide. According to an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the average median compensation for leaders of public research universities and public college systems has risen 4.1 percent per year.
The highest paid leader of a public university is David P. Roselle from the University of Delaware. Roselle is currently making $979,571 which includes $729,054 in salary and $250,517 in extra compensation.
"This outraged me," said Ashley Allenby, the ASOSU director of student affairs. "With all of the financial problems OSU is having along with how little funding students are getting, I am surprised we are able to give our university president a 15 percent increase in his salary."
Ray also receives $32,318 in retirement and the use of a house and a car. His total compensation is estimated at $372,326 per year.
Portland State University President Daniel B. Bernstine and University Of Oregon President David B. Frohnmayer received 15 percent increases as well.
Ray is paid approximately just above the national median - which represents a point where half of all presidents fall above and half fall below . He makes slightly more than half of what the UO President David Frohnmayer makes. Frohnmayer's total compensation is $500,233.
Sixty-seven percent of all presidents of public universities are paid in the same price bracket as Ray.
Students offered mixed reactions to Ray's pay increase.
"This seems like a fairly big increase, especially considering that the budget keeps getting cut," said Leah Austed, a senior in natural resources.
"I support the decision," said Ben Hampton, a junior in accounting. "I do not know Ed Ray personally, but I believe he is doing a good job on campus."
These increases are happening nationwide. According to an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the average median compensation for leaders of public research universities and public college systems has risen 4.1 percent per year.
The highest paid leader of a public university is David P. Roselle from the University of Delaware. Roselle is currently making $979,571 which includes $729,054 in salary and $250,517 in extra compensation.
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