Volume 103 Issue 41
The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton
Wednesday April 25, 2018
Being a CSU president has its benefits
A car allowance is among the perks given to university executives. KRISTINE JARANILLA Staff Writer
The salaries of most California State University presidents may not be as competitive as similar public universities across the nation, but the job comes with a few perks that compensate for the high cost of living in California. Housing The 2018 CSU Executive Compensation Summary details housing benefits for presidents. Twelve university presidents are compensated with an annual housing allowance ranging from $50,000 to $60,000, according the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Ten presidents have housing provided for them, including CSUF President Fram Virjee. His residence, El Dorado Ranch, is about three miles from the main campus. San Diego State’s interim President Sally Roush was the only president to waive the housing perk.
ANITA HUOR / DAILY TITAN
The low pay of CSU presidents compared to those across the nation by the CSU Chancellor’s Office is reflective of the system’s funding struggles.
CSUF President Fram Virjee’s salary among the lowest in the nation “ SARAH EL-MAHMOUD Managing Editor
JACOB TATHAM Staff Writer
Cal State Fullerton President Fram Virjee said he didn’t start working for the CSU because of the paycheck. After a 30-year career as a lawyer, he was planning to retire and move to Rwanda with his wife, Julie, for their nonprofit, then he received a call from Chancellor Timothy P. White who convinced him to take the job. When Virjee started at the CSU as vice chancellor and general counsel in January 2014, he earned $310,000. In November 2017, he accepted the position of CSUF president just one month after former CSUF President Mildred García left CSUF mid-academic year. As president, Virjee earns a salary of $356,431, which is on the low end of the pay scale when compared to eight universities across the United States with similar high
enrollment, according to the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Among the eight peer universities, Florida International University is at the top, with its president earning $600,653 in 2016, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. “There is no question that the Cal State University presidents get paid less than other public and private universities across the nation. But everybody in the CSU gets paid less than everybody in most universities,” Virjee said. Out of the 23 CSU presidents, Virjee is the fifth highest paid, according to the chancellor’s office. During a January 2018 CSU Board of Trustees meeting, trustee Silas Abrego pointed out an unequal pay problem among the presidents, due to current policies. When new presidents take office at the CSU, their salaries may either match the pay of the previous president or may only exceed it by up to 10 percent. “I think we discourage applicants from applying,” Abrego said in a April 12 interview. “For potential candidates, making the same or perhaps more money, why would you apply if you couldn’t increase your current salary?”
There is no question that the Cal State University presidents get paid less than other public and private universities across the nation. But everybody in the CSU gets paid less than everybody in most universities.
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The lack of funding for the CSU system is exemplified by the incomparable payment of its leadership.
FRAM VIRJEE Cal State Fullerton president Abrego recommended that the chancellor hire presidents based on a pay scale that correlates to the presidents’ skills and experience, and reflects each university’s specific characteristics. Virjee, who is receiving an identical salary to García, agrees the current salary structure could create problems for the CSU in attracting quality presidents down the line, particularly with the continually growing market. “You don’t want people to just dismiss us out of hand. It’s almost like if you’re not willing to pay that much, then it must not be very important,” Virjee said. SEE PAYGRADE
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Transportation Another presidential benefit is a car allowance. According to the CSU, 21 presidents receive an annual $12,000 car allowance. Horace Mitchell of CSU Bakersfield and Karen S. Haynes of Cal State San Marcos receive a car allowance of $9,000 a year. Spouse/Partner Travel Benefits Twenty-one CSU presidents with spouses or partners are allowed to take them along for university business using state funds, according to the CSU. SEE PERKS 2
Baseball drops game to UCLA on the road The Titans were unable to come back after giving up four runs in the fifth inning. MATTHEW MENDOZA Staff Writer
Cal State Fullerton baseball gave up multiple runs in four innings on the way to a 12-4 loss on the road against No. 9 UCLA. The loss put the Titans under .500 with a record of 19-20. Fullerton used six pitchers in the loss. They combined to surrender 18 hits and struggled to put away the Bruins, allowing five two-out hits in the game. Second baseman Hank LaForte’s sacrifice fly put CSUF on the board in the fifth inning, which was followed by center fielder Mitchell Berryhill’s RBI single to cut the Bruins lead to one. The Bruins added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth, elongating their lead to 7-2 and putting the game out of Fullerton’s reach. After a disastrous fifth inning, the Titans added two more runs in the contest. Shortstop Sahid Valenzuela’s groundout in the sixth inning brought left fielder Chris Prescott home. Prescott again crossed home plate following first baseman Jake Pavletich’s single to left field in the eighth inning. SEE DEFEAT
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Shortstop Sahid Valenzuela (4) recorded no hits and one RBI against UCLA on Tuesday.
KATIE ALBERTSON / DAILY TITAN FILE PHOTO
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