With the economy still faltering and the nation pushing through financial struggles not seen since the Great Depression, salary figures for any prominent university or public officials are being held under an even stronger microscope than in previous years.

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently released its annual salary survey of the nation’s public and private institutions. The survey gathered data for the fiscal year of 2007-2008 and ranked the average faculty income by institution as well as the exact monetary compensation of university presidents.

The survey stated that University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx received an annual salary of $260,000, and a compensatory benefits package worth $46,228. Von Arx confirmed that these numbers were correct, but said the salary does not end up in his bank account.

‘My salary in total is donated to the Jesuit Community, as is the case with all Jesuits on University or Prep payroll,’ he said.’ ‘The Jesuits give me, as well as all Jesuits at Fairfield, an allowance for personal expenses.’ When the Jesuits have paid their expenses in a given year, they customarily give back any excess to the University and the Prep.’

‘ Last year, the Jesuits donated $100,000 back to Fairfield University and Fairfield Prepatory School respectively, according to von Arx.

He added that the Jesuit Community is usually one of the biggest donors to the University and Prep in a given year, and went on to explain how the benefits package is determined and put to use by the Jesuit community.

‘All University employees get a benefits package that includes health care and retirement as part of their contract,’ he said. ‘Since the Society of Jesus covers this for us Jesuits, the University gives the equivalent cost of benefits directly to the Jesuit Community to offset this expense.’

The benefit package is a fixed percentage of salary.

In addition to this compensation package, von Arx lives in the President’s house on Round Hill Road, which belongs to the University, and takes his meals either at the St. Ignatius House on Barlow Road or hosts a dinner at the President’s house, which he said is often used for the ‘University entertainment.’

Other Jesuit schools such as Loyola College of Maryland and Fordham University, which are of comparable size and ranking to Fairfield, pay their presidents a total compensation of $333,447 and $0 respectively, according to the report.

When asked about the discrepancies between different universities, von Arx said all university presidents’ who are Jesuits receive a salary, and all of the salaries are contributed to the Jesuit communities they live in. He added that he would be willing to work for free, but that the Jesuits, especially those who are currently retired, depend on his salary to cover daily expenses.

Other Connecticut schools like Sacred Heart University give their president a total compensation of over $500,000 including benefits and expense accounts. Quinnipiac University President John Lahey receives $585,200 in total annual compensation.
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Faculty Salaries
The Chronicle report also included a full estimate of faculty salaries at various universities. The average annual salary for a full time professor at Fairfield is $105,700, with men making – on average – slightly more than women.

This discrepancy can be attributed to the fact that different concentrations such as accounting and engineering pay faculty more than those teaching in’ the liberal arts program and profession within the University.

Paul Caster, an associate professor of accounting, said the main reason for the difference in salaries for teachers in different subjects can be traced directly back to the market.

‘Professors in professional schools, such as business schools, law schools, engineering schools and medical schools, can make much more money working in their profession than in teaching,’ he said. ‘To attract such people out of their professions and into academia, schools need to offer somewhat higher salaries.

‘Basic laws of supply and demand are at force here,’ said the accounting professor.

While this trend is not exclusive to Fairfield, Caster added that he does not think it is fair, since all teachers basically have the same obligations even though they teach different subjects.

‘ ‘Professors in liberal arts fields are doing the same things I do, teaching, research and service, and I do not think it is fair in that sense that they do the same things for less pay,’ he said.

Fairfield’s 2006 tax return listed Michael Tucker as the highest paid professor. Tucker is listed as working 35 hours a week while making $157,193 along with $33,372 in contributions to his employee benefit plans.

The 2007 tax return listed men’s basketball coach Ed Cooley as the highest paid employee other than officers, directors and trustees. Cooley makes $218,636 per year along with $45,045 contributed to his benefits plan and deferred compensation.

The tax returns also list the Dean of the School of Business Norman Solomon as one of the highest paid employees as well, along with Academic Vice President Orin Grossman and Senior Vice President Billy Weitzer.

Winston Tellis, an information systems and operations management professor in the Dolan School of Business, said he is satisfied with the salary he receives from the school, but believes he could make more money working in the commercial world where he said ‘salaries are typically higher.’

‘Professional schools all over the country and the world are paid at a higher rate than faculty from some other disciplines,” said Tellis.

‘Certain professions such as doctors and lawyers as well as accounting and engineering are highly paid, and to attract candidates to universities, they must be paid a reasonable salary,’ he said.

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