Report: Fuchs among top 10 highest-paid university executives

The Chronicle of Higher Education has compiled data reports on public university officials’ wages since 2010. On Monday, the publication released its latest study.

UF President Kent Fuchs ranked ninth of the list’s 251 highest-paid public college executives. He fell five spots from the 2015-16 rankings.

Fuchs’ 2016-17 salary was reported to include a base pay of $866,425, nontaxable pay of $18,142 and additional reportable pay of $215,408, totaling $1,099,975.

Fuchs’ reportable wages include $66,045 for retirement and a $25,500 housing allowance, according to The Chronicle. It is still $2,887 fewer than the fourth-place salary of $1,102,862.

Fuchs’ salary could buy 73,331 'Freshman 15 Burgers' from The Swamp Restaurant or 6,874 UF parking decals.

“I do think (Fuchs’ salary is) a little excessive,” UF advertising sophomore Zack Archer said. “I know he does a lot for the university, and it is a great school, but I think a lot of other people have association with making this a great school and a lot of people aren’t compensated for that.”

Fuchs was hired as UF’s 12th president in 2014. His base pay then was $860,000, UF spokesman Steve Orlando said. The Gainesville Sun reported that Fuchs also received an “annual deferred payment of $180,000” for his first year at UF, adding up to $1,040,000 — $59,975 fewer than his 2017 salary.

Deferred salary is income set aside and paid to an employee after he or she has earned it. In Fuchs’ case, he will receive it when his five-year contract with UF ends.

Orlando said Fuchs’ current base pay and additional reportable compensation are $899,087 and $215,000 respectively, totaling $1,114,087.

Two hundred thousand dollars of the president’s salary comes from state funding and the remaining balance comes from private sources, Orlando said.

“The $215,000 payment includes a retirement contribution as well as the taxable value of his life and disability insurances,” he said.

As Chief Executive Officer of UF, Fuchs is responsible for working with the Board of Trustees to oversee the university’s academics, research, foundations, organizations and budgeting.

“For me, all he’s known for is wearing quirky things and (welcoming) students,” Archer said. “I would do more research on what he does. Knowing what he does will probably help me better understand why he gets paid that much.”

While Fuchs may be on the top-10 list for highest-paid public college executives, he isn’t the top-earning employee of the university. Both Dr. Mark S. Bleiweis, UF Health program director, and Dr. David S. Guzick, UF Health senior vice president, earn higher wages.

The Chronicle reported that Bleiweis made $1,375,043 in 2017 while Guzick made $1,499,211 in 2017 — both more than a quarter million more than Fuchs.

Even with his heightened wages, Fuchs still falls behind University of South Florida President Judy L. Genshaft and University of Central Florida President John C. Hitt’s compensations, according to The Chronicle.

The top-10 highest paid public college executives are:

1. James R. Ramsey

   1. School: University of Louisville

   2. Total Pay: $4,290,232

2. Jay Gogue

   1. School: Auburn University

   2. Total Pay: $1,827,786

3. William H. McRaven

   1. School: University of Texas

   2. Total Pay: $1,500,140

4. Neil D. Theobald

   1. School: Temple University

   2. Total Pay: $1,380,071

5. John Sharp

   1. School: Texas A&M University

   2. Total Pay: $1,285,147

6. John C. Hitt

   1. School: University of Central Florida

   2. Total Pay: $1,278,371

7. Judy L. Genshaft

   1. School: University of South Florida

   2. Total Pay: $1,184,520

8. Douglas D. Baker

   1. School: Northern Illinois University

   2. Total Pay: $1,124,248

9. W. Kent Fuchs

   1. School: University of Florida

   2. Total Pay: $1,099,975

10. Michael V. Drake

    1. School: Ohio State University

    2. Total Pay: $1,073,272

This is according to 2016-2017 reported data from The Chronicle