Georgia college presidents get pay raises

Two top $1 million a year
Georgia Board of Regents members listen to a staff presentation on an online tool to get more high school graduates to attend schools in the University System of Georgia at its May 16, 2017 meeting. The board approved new compensation packages for its presidents. ERIC STIRGUS/ESTIRGUS@AJC.COM

Georgia Board of Regents members listen to a staff presentation on an online tool to get more high school graduates to attend schools in the University System of Georgia at its May 16, 2017 meeting. The board approved new compensation packages for its presidents. ERIC STIRGUS/ESTIRGUS@AJC.COM

The presidents of 23 Georgia public colleges and universities got raises this week, courtesy of the state Board of Regents.

The base pay increases were between 1.5 percent and 4 percent, according to data released Thursday afternoon by the University System of Georgia. Most of the presidents received either a 3 percent or 4 percent raise. The board met Tuesday in executive session to approve the salaries.

The raises were similar to what the board approved in 2016. Last year, the board approved raises in base salaries between 1.5 percent and 5 percent.

Georgia Tech president Bud Peterson, again, has the highest annual total compensation at $1,135,710, the numbers showed. Georgia State University president Mark Becker is the only other president with a seven-figure total compensation package at just below $1.1 million. University of Georgia president Jere Morehead’s total compensation is $860,843.75.

For most presidents, the total compensation includes housing allowances of nearly $20,000, car allowances and deferred compensation.  The allowances are to help with the costs of hosting and traveling to various events.

University System of Georgia chancellor Steve Wrigley released a brief statement thanking Gov. Nathan Deal and state lawmakers “for the merit-based increases for our employees.”

Here is the top 10 compensation packages for University System of Georgia presidents:

1. Bud Peterson   Georgia Tech   $1,135,710.27

2. Mark Becker   Georgia State   $1,094,951.75

3. Jere Morehead   University of Georgia   $860,843.75

4. Brooks Keel   Augusta University   $838,828.28

5. Sam Olens   Kennesaw State   $435,832

6. Jaime Hebert   Georgia Southern   $393,300

7. Arthur Dunning   Albany State   $350,907.50

8. Paul Jones   Fort Valley State   $350,068

9. Kyle Marrero   University of West Georgia   $348,559.12

10. Richard Carvajal   Valdosta State   $341,340

Source: University System of Georgia

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