Each of the state's college presidents will earn at least $100,000 a year if the Utah Board of Regents approves a proposed 3.5 percent pay raise.
University of Utah President J. Bernard Machen, who started in January, is poised to receive $209,844 - about $11,300 more than his beginning salary at the U. yet about $18,000 less than he earned as provost of the University of Michigan.The regents are expected to act on the proposed salaries during their monthly meeting July 10 in Cedar City.
Machen, Utah State University President George H. Emert and Utah Valley State College President Kerry D. Romes-burg would each receive base adjustments in addition to the proposed 3.5 percent raise.
Machen and Emert would receive base adjustments of $4,000 and $2,500, respectively. The rationale for Machen's increase is the "distance from the national median and health sciences factor."
Likewise, Emert's base pay would be raised because of the distance from the national median factor.
Romesburg's base salary would be hiked to bring it in line with that of Salt Lake Community College President Frank W. Budd.
Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, Cecelia H. Foxley, also is in line to receive a 3.5 percent pay increase, which would bring her pay for the 1999 fiscal year to $147,456.
"In each case, in comparison with their peers across the country, each (president) is making less than his or her peers. In some cases, we have been attempting to do some catch up," said Board of Regents Chairman Charlie Johnson.
Except for SLCC and UVSC, the presidents' proposed salaries are below the national median, according to the annual survey of the College and University Personnel Association.
The proposed salary schedule reflects size, type and complexity of the institution. In the case of the U., health sciences and University Hospital factor into the equation.
Salaries range from the $209,844 proposed for Machen to $102,554 each for the presidents of Snow College, Dixie College and the College of Eastern Utah.
In addition to salaries, the presidents live in state-owned and maintained homes.
Foxley's pay is based on an average of salaries for chief executive officers of governing boards in states with Research I institutions. Utah has two such schools, the U. and USU.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Salary comparison
... 1998-99
... Budget Recommended 1997-98
Institution/President (millions) salaries Salary
U. of U./ J. Bernard Machen $993.7 $209,844 $198,478*
USU/George H. Emert $290.7 $161,131 $153,182
WSU/Paul H. Thompson $103.1 $132,480 $128,544
SUU/Steven D. Bennion $ 49.9 $124,200 $120,000
Snow/Gerald J. Day $ 16.5 $102,544 $ 99,086
Dixie/Robert C. Huddleston $ 25.6 $102,544 $ 99,086
CEU/Grace S. Jones $ 25.0 $102,544 $ 99,086
UVSC/Kerry D. Romesburg $ 77.1 $118,630 $113,189
SLCC/Frank W. Budd $ 93.3 $118,630 $114,618
Commissioner Cecelia Foxley N/A $147,456 $142,470
*Machen's salary was set when he joined the U. Jan. 1, 1998