RPI's Jackson stays in top 10 for private college president compensation
RPI president Shirley Ann Jackson's salary is the 7th highest in the nation among private college presidents, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education's annual salary rankings. The Chronicle reports Jackson's 2009 total compensation was $1,771,877, up 7 percent from the year before.
The average professor at RPI gets almost $154k/year in compensation, according to the Chronicle -- giving RPI an 11.5/1 president to professor pay ratio. (A few quick comparisons: the ratio is 4.7/1 at MIT, and 3.7/1 at Cal Tech.)
Said RPI's VP of strategic communications and external relations to the TU about Jackson's salary: "[it is] a reflection of her extraordinary accomplishments, and of the desire of the Board of Trustees to have her continue the comprehensive transformation at Rensselaer."
Jackson topped the Chronicle's chart for the 2007-2008 academic year with reported total compensation of $1,598,247. In March 2009, the school announced she was giving 5 percent of her salary to a student scholarship fund.
There have been a lot of impressive developments at RPI during Jackson's tenure. But there also has been what seems like a not insignificant amount of discontent. The most recent sign was a student senate resolution calling for Jackson's removal if "significant changes" aren't made at the school. And a group calling itself the "Alliance for Responsible Governance" has also been pushing for change. [RPI] [Reddit RPI]
The Chronicle also lists compensation for other local private colleges. Those are after the jump.
Figures for 2009. All from this Chronicle of Higher Education graph, which is definitely worth a look.
Union College: Stephen Ainley - $471,538 (3.3/1 president to professor ratio)
Skidmore College: Philip Glotzbach - $468,056 (3.4/1 president to professor)
College of St. Rose: Mark Sullivan - $324,615 (3.1/1 president to professor)
Siena College: Rev. Kevin Mullen - $127,600 (ratio not listed)
Earlier on AOA: Capital Region colleges still expensive, but less so (relatively)
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Comments
The article should mention that on top of her ludicrous salary, she has had RPI foot the bill for her new $1.1 million home, body guards, personal housekeeping staff, and other aides.
... said cb on Dec 5, 2011 at 2:06 PM | link
I'm not defending Shirley Jackson's salary, but the woman has kicked some major butt at RPI - she makes things happen.
... said Barold on Dec 5, 2011 at 8:27 PM | link
I'm not defending Shirley Jackson's salary, but the woman has kicked some major butt at RPI - she makes things happen.
Yep, kicked out 90 employees right before Christmas in 2008 and opened $200 million arts center a few months after that.
... said Lu on Dec 6, 2011 at 12:24 AM | link
Anyone know what the president/dean's salaries are at Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, Albany College of Pharmacy? I bet they are high too.
... said curious on Dec 6, 2011 at 10:07 AM | link
What about Russell Sage/The Sage Colleges?
... said Stacey on Dec 6, 2011 at 4:20 PM | link
Just to clarify in case anyone's wondering...those of us who work here know it's as bad on the inside as it looks from the outside!
... said donna on Dec 6, 2011 at 4:26 PM | link