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Back to School: College Presidents ,Leadership(?) at a Very high Price
Most presidents of state and tri-county public colleges haven’t received raises over the past few years, according to a Courier-Post analysis of contracts, amendments and continuing employment agreements.
But lawmakers and taxpayer advocates think that’s insignificant given the high values of presidents’ salaries, benefits and bonuses.
“Presidents and boards of trustees have created an artificial market, whereby presidents compare their compensation packages to each other,” says Jerry Cantrell, president of the New Jersey Taxpayers Alliance and the Common Sense Institute.
“Presidents say, ‘I want what they got,’ and the upward cycle continues.”
While state aid to his institution decreased 10.5 percent this past year, NJIT president Robert Altenkirch received a $20,000 raise, a $56,000 retention bonus and $85,000 housing allowance. (Rosen, Gannett)
