By Chris Metinko
Daily Staff Reporter
Thirteen of the 15 presidents at state universities in Michigan receive salaries above the national average of $119,219 for university presidents, according to statistics recently released by the College and University Personnel Association.
| Top five presidents' salaries at state public universities |
|---|
| Lee Bollinger $275,000 University of Michigan |
| David Adamany $186,680 Wayne State |
| Peter McPherson $185,400 Michigan State |
| Curtis Tompkins $174,868 Michigan Tech |
| William Shelton $162,500 Eastern Michigan |
"The salary for the President of the University of Michigan is certainly quite appropriate," said Lisa Baker, associate vice-president for University relations.
Thomas Bugbee, secretary to the Board of Trustees and assistant to the president at Lake Superior State, said the trustees decide the president's salary based on salaries at other institutions.
"We look at the salary data, and we determine it from the numbers," Bugbee said. "We make sure it's attractive enough to recruit and retain a president."
Bollinger can understand that philosophy.
"All salaries are in a market," said Bollinger, stating that university president salaries are no different from other professional positions.
The second-highest-paid Michigan public university president is Wayne State University's David Adamany at $186,680, followed closely by Michigan State University President Peter McPherson at $185,400 this year.
"Every year the (Wayne State University) Board of Governors hold an evaluation to determine if the president will receive a merit increase," said Robert Wartner, department of media relations for Wayne State.
However, Wartner said the board had not decided yet what the determinants will be for a possible increase this year.
Although Bollinger's salary is highest in the state for a public university president, it is comparable to the salaries of presidents at larger public universities across the country.
University of Texas at Austin President Robert Berdahl earns $206,000 and the former president of the University of California, Chang-Lin Tien, earned $222,700 last year.
Baker said Bollinger's salary is in line with his duties as University president. "He is responsible for a hugely complex organization," Baker said.
Bollinger agreed that the job of president has added many new responsibilities to his life.
"It's hard to imagine the range of issues that come up in a single day," said Bollinger, "and the range of responsibilities."
The Michigan presidential salaries do not include housing, cars and other benefits presidents receive from the universities. Benefits range anywhere from vacation days to memberships to the Detroit Club.
Bollinger receives housing at the traditional presidential residence at 815 S. State St., a 1997 Jeep Cherokee and 25 days of vacation a year from the University.