ASU President Michael Crow drops in pay ranking among public-college presidents

Rachel Leingang | The Republic | azcentral.com

Show Caption Hide Caption 5 myths about Arizona universities debunked, confirmed Some of the lore about ASU, UA and NAU is true, or at least contains a kernel of truth. Others are falsehoods, which may have started as pranks.

Arizona State University president Michael Crow is no longer the highest-paid public college president.

An annual analysis by The Chronicle of Higher Education ranks Crow's pay 15th among 220 large public universities nationwide for the 2017 fiscal year.

In last year's analysis, Crow took the top spot with annual pay of $1.5 million because of a 10-year retention bonus he received from the ASU Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to boost ASU.

In 2017, he received about $861,000, along with benefits like a housing allowance, vehicle allowance and retirement contribution, according to the Chronicle report.

Eleven presidents brought in more than $1 million last fiscal year, the Chronicle found. Average president pay was about $558,000, up 5 percent from the previous year.

James Ramsey, the former president of the University of Louisville, topped the list with earnings of nearly $4.3 million last year, one of the highest amounts the Chronicle has found.

Ramsey left the university 27 days into the 2017 fiscal year, the Chronicle said. Most of his pay came from a $3.55 million deferred-compensation package.

The presidents of the Auburn University, the University of Texas system, Texas A&M system and the University of Central Florida rounded out the top five.

Details of Crow's pay, and other Arizona presidents

Crow's pay this year could total more than $1.1 million, including his salary, benefits, potential bonuses, supplemental pay from the ASU Foundation and housing and vehicle allowances.

Crow received a 15 percent raise in his base salary, bringing it to $690,000 starting in January.

He received a $108,000 retirement contribution this fiscal year, along with a $70,000 housing allowance and a $10,000 vehicle allowance. He also received about $195,000 from the ASU Foundation in supplemental pay.

Crow is eligible for $140,000 in potential bonuses for this fiscal year.

The $1.1 million figure likely would boost Crow into the top 10 in the next ranking, depending on how other universities change.

Former University of Arizona president Ann Weaver Hart ranked 70th on the list, with about $595,000 in annual pay.

Current UA president Robert Robbins took over the post in June 2017. Robbins' base salary is $675,000, and UA also has a presidential residence where he lives.

Robbins was not included in the Chronicle's analysis because he did not work at UA during the 2017 fiscal year.

Northern Arizona University president Rita Cheng ranked 124th on the list, with about $444,000 in annual pay last year. She has since received a raise, now earning a base salary of $475,000.

Regent: Crow's compensation 'more than appropriate'

Ron Shoopman, the chair of the Arizona Board of Regents, said in a statement that Crow is “one of the most dynamic and innovative leaders in higher education.”

Shoopman said Crow’s leadership has been crucial to ASU’s success, and pointed to the school’s access, quality, affordable tuition, growth in research spending and increased four-year graduation rate.

“Highly valued by champions of higher education and throughout Arizona for his leadership, his compensation is more than appropriate,” Shoopman said.

“Arizona is fortunate to have a leader like Michael Crow as president of Arizona State University.”

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