Regents give executive officers pay hikes

Denise Cardinal

Friday, Oct. 24, 1997 | 10:43 a.m.

Executive officers in Nevada's university system will be getting pay hikes.

The Board of Regents Thursday voted 9-1 in approving the increases, which will range from 5.5 percent to 8.8 percent.

Regent Howard Rosenberg, an art professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, cast the dissenting vote. Regent Shelley Berkley was absent.

"I am unalterably opposed to any merit raise that wouldn't apply to faculty as well," said Rosenberg.

The highest-paid university president is UNR's Joseph Crowley. He is receiving a 5.5 percent raise to $193,476. Second is UNLV President Carol Harter, whose 5.5 percent raise will put her salary at $178,798. Community College of Southern Nevada President Richard Moore will also receive 5.5 percent to boost his salary to $138,410.

Defending the increases, Chancellor Richard Jarvis said the marketplace demanded the change in pay.

"In California's university system, the board granted a 10 percent a year raise for each of the presidents for the next three years," he said. "We've got a good set of people here. I don't see arguing the policy at the expense of individuals."

The College and University Personnel Association recently completed a compensation survey showing the median income for a four-year college president is $174,638.

The same survey showed the median income for community college presidents is $99,000.

Jarvis said Moore's salary reflects the size of CCSN, which is much larger than most two-year schools and growing. The large majority of the regents agreed.

"We have about 76,000 students in Nevada," said Regent Mark Alden. "And we'll be doubling that in the next five to seven years. These people worked hard and deserve every dime."