Reader comments
23 leaders of private universities earned more than $1M in '08

Linda | 5:47 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I realize this is an AP Story, but it would be nice to have someone add some information about how much our local college presidents earn in comparison.

so? | 5:50 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

My univ. president is paid $325,000 a year. It ain't aneough for the man; he signed a contract with Monsanto the chemical giant to "advise" them and picked up another $200.000 annually.

Seriously. Can't make this up. Check it out: His name is Chicoine and he is the new president at South Dakota State University.

Oh yes, he also gets the home on campus. He negotiated his sweetheart deal, 2 weeks of work, with Monsanto without public discussion.

He certainly leads by example. What a rip off!!!!

Hmm | 6:26 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

TAX THEM!

Barry and Nancy

Comments continue below

Chicoine | 6:54 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Remember the name: chicoine. He signed a contract with the state for over $300,000 to lead our university, and then secretly with board of regents approval, signed a contract with Monsanto the chemical company for $200,000 for 2 weeks worth of time. Yes, 2 weeks.

Some day you will read about the corruption at SDSU and SD in general. The pres. of my univ. makes more money than the president of the united states, and does it secretly without a public hearing.

Here on the prairie, we have our corrupt leaders too.

smith | 6:56 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

College presidents are overpaid. Many a university professor would love to be the president, and many are quite capable. It is a racket.

south dakota | 7:01 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Our previous pres. of one of our major schools got paid a public salary, while also collecting close to $100,000 under the table from the school's foundation. 3 people knew. that's all.

what a rip off, south dakota universities.

To so? | 7:43 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

The way you spell...the president of your university needs to give back everything he was paid.

wet | 7:57 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

What are you guys whining about? Most big time football or basketball coaches make more than their university presidents. Oh, you will say, they bring in money for the school. True, but the vast majority of it goes right back into the football and basketball programs or the women's programs that are costing tons of money to maintain due to federal government intervention in spite of lack of an interest.

Anonymous | 8:09 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Why the constant belly aching about capitalism. Why shouldn't the president make a million dollars annually? If you notice the million dollar presidents are at private universities, not state supported public schools. The fact that someone is making 300,000 annually does not automatically signal corruption. If making more than the President of the US is the benchmark then a lot of people are overpaid. Babe Ruth made more money than the president and when asked about it he said simply, "I had a better year than he did." This would also apply this year, these university presidents had a better year than the President.

Anonymous | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Running a University is comparable with running a big company. No one whines when a CEO makes $300,000 a year. In fact you will hear the opposite...he isn't being paid enough.

Matthew | 10:12 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

The range of human performance amoung qualified people in a job like university president isn't that great. Any board of trustees willing to pay more than twice the median, for anyone as president, needs to be replaced. Those dollars being spent aren't intended to enrich people monetarily. They are intended to educate students. Having a president is part of that process, but it isn't that uniquely demanding a job.

Another Obama Czar | 12:02 a.m. Nov. 3, 2009

This cannot go unpunished! Obama must appoint another Czar to dictate to people how much money they are allowed to earn! College Presidents are no exception! By the way, how much does Obama say YOU are allowed to earn?

Re: Matt | 7:27 p.m. Nov. 4, 2009

This is not 1940 and you're not in Kansas anymore!!

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