Rodin earned $350,000 for first year in office

But Urology Professor Alan Wein is University's highest-paid employee, making $979,000 in 1994-95 During her first year in office, University President Judith Rodin earned $350,000 in salary, according to federal income tax information. Rodin also received $25,980 in benefits and more than $23,000 for expenses during fiscal year 1994-1995. The salary is considered competitive for medium-sized research universities, Rodin said. "It is certainly fair to say the chief executive officers of corporations of our size, and with comparable responsibility, are compensated at a much more substantial rate," she explained. However, other Ivy League institutions pay their presidents less than Penn does. Harvard University President Neil Rudenstine only received $251,300 in salary for the 1994-1995 fiscal year. In a more comparable range, Columbia University paid its president, George Rupp, $317,187 in salary in the 1994-1995 fiscal year. And Yale University President Richard Levin earned $316,953 in salary during the same period. Salaries for presidents from the remaining Ivy League schools were unavailable at press time. Penn paid Interim President Claire Fagin a $315,000 salary and $31,719 in benefits during her one-year tenure. In the 1993-1994 fiscal year, Fagin was the highest-paid president in the Ivy League. Former University President Sheldon Hackney earned $676,574 including a bonus and benefits in the 1992-1993 fiscal year. Last spring, Rep. John Lawless (R-Montgomery) criticized Rodin for her high salary at a State Appropriations Committee hearing. Lawless expressed discontent with the amount of money going to administrative costs as opposed to teaching and research. Rodin said Lawless was the only legislator who questioned her salary during those committee meetings. "Many in Harrisburg have told me they believe it is a fair salary for the head of a $2.2 billion organization located in Pennsylvania," Rodin said. At Penn, the highest-paid employee is almost never the president. Medical School administrators and faculty are teaching physicians associated with the Medical Center, and many earn much more than Rodin. Medical Center Chief Executive Officer and Medical School Dean William Kelley is the highest-paid University administrator, earning $844,670 for fiscal year 1994-1995. And Urology Professor Alan Wein earned $979,000 in the 1994-1995 fiscal year, the highest salary of any University employee. The Board of Trustees determines the president's salary, which does not include living expenses associated with Eisenlohr Hall, the newly renovated 25-room president's home at 3812 Walnut Street. Rodin said her salary is especially appropriate given how much time she puts into the job. Her work day, she added, begins before 8 a.m. and usually lasts 12 to 16 hours. "This position, which I dearly love, is an all-consuming responsibility," she added. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Mark Fiore contributed to this report.

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