News Summary
The Board of Regents has approved a $50,000 salary increase for Chancellor Sonny Perdue, bringing his total compensation to $572,500. This unanimous decision reflects merit and market adjustments within the university system, which has seen significant growth, including a 9% increase in enrollment. Despite criticism regarding his academic qualifications and leadership decisions, Perdue continues to lead the institution, contributing $23.1 billion to the state’s economy and enhancing the value of higher education in Georgia.
Atlanta – Chancellor Sonny Perdue of the University System of Georgia has been granted a $50,000 salary increase by the Board of Regents, raising his pay to $572,500. This decision, which was unanimously approved, will take effect next month, marking a significant adjustment in the chancellor’s compensation.
The Board of Regents Chairman T. Dallas Smith has stated that the raise is akin to merit and market-based salary increases for other employees within the university system. Perdue, who is 78 years old, was appointed as chancellor by Governor Brian Kemp in 2022. His leadership has presided over notable growth within the university system, which saw a 9% increase in enrollment, totaling nearly 365,000 students from fall semesters of 2022 to 2024.
Furthermore, the University System of Georgia has demonstrated its economic impact, contributing $23.1 billion to the state’s economy during the recent school year, reflecting over a 5% increase from the previous year. Graduates from the system are projected to earn approximately $1.4 million more than their counterparts who do not obtain a bachelor’s degree over their lifetimes, underscoring the value of higher education within the state.
Prior to this increase, Perdue’s fiscal year 2024 salary was reported at $531,900, making him one of Georgia’s highest-earning state employees. To provide a comparative perspective, other university system heads have varying salaries: Sid Trant from the University of Alabama System earns $884,716, Peter Hans of the University of North Carolina System receives $600,000, Ray Rodrigues, the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida, has a salary of $441,252, while Michael Amiridis from the University of South Carolina system makes $352,184. Notably, Randy Boyd, president of the University of Tennessee System, opts not to draw a salary but receives a $10,000 stipend for health insurance.
Despite the growth and economic contributions, Perdue’s leadership has been met with criticism regarding his academic qualifications and the perception that his appointment was politically motivated. Additionally, he has attracted scrutiny for his skeptical stance toward online education, which contradicts the findings of USG studies indicating no significant differences in academic outcomes between online and in-person classes.
Moreover, a controversial mandate requiring professors to publish their syllabi online has raised concerns over potential political interference and the possibility of enabling harassment based on ideological differences among faculty members. These issues have contributed to an ongoing debate about Perdue’s leadership style and its implications for the university system’s academic environment.
The Board of Regents is scheduled to hold its next meeting on September 16, which is set to take place after the minimum 30-day waiting period mandated before confirming Perdue’s salary hike. This upcoming meeting may shed light on further discussions regarding the chancellor’s performance and the direction of the University System of Georgia under his leadership.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Georgia Recorder: Georgia Higher Ed Board Approves $50K Sonny Perdue Pay Bump
- Griffin Daily News: Georgia Higher Ed Board Approves $50K Sonny Perdue Pay Bump
- Now Habersham: Chancellor Sonny Perdue Poised to Receive $50K Pay Raise
- Wikipedia: University System of Georgia
- 11Alive: Highest Paid State Workers in Georgia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education
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