Minnesota Lawyer
According to data compiled by House Higher Education Committee Chair Gene Pelowski, salaries for top administrators in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system have risen significantly in recent years even in the face of declining state funding and tuition increases.
A breakdown of compensation for campus presidents shows that some have seen salaries increase by more than a third since 2006.
Judith Ramaley, president of Winona State University, for instance, has seen her compensation increase by 34 percent since 2006. Last year she received $241,000.
Some increases were even more robust. St. Cloud Technical and Community College president Joyce Helens‘ salary has increased by nearly 50 percent since she took over the post in 2007. Last year she made $187,000.
Ronald Thomas, president of Dakota County Technical College, has received a 36 percent increase in compensation since 2006. Last year he made $195,000.
For the MnSCU system’s chancellor and vice chancellors the increases have been more varied. Vice chancellor Laura King‘s compensation has increased by 37 percent since 2006. Last year she received $235,000. She’s the only vice chancellor to serve throughout that time period.
But former MnSCU chancellor James McCormick saw his compensation increase by just 15 percent between 2006 and 2011, when he made $440,000. McCormick stepped down from his post last year.
For a full list of the salaries, click here.
On Thursday the House will take up the higher education finance bill. It includes $150 million in increased spending, but requires tuition freezes for the next two years for both MnSCU and the University of Minnesota.
