Rodin's salary continues to climb - now tops 600K

If running the sixth-ranked university in the nation doesn't get Judith Rodin jumping out of bed each day, maybe her mid-six figure salary will do the trick. University President Judith Rodin earned $603,165 in base pay in the 1998-99 school year -- up from $548,374 the year before -- according to University tax forms. Her combined salary and compensation package of $655,557 in 1998-99 marks an almost 20 percent increase from the year before. And over the past five years, Rodin's total compensation package has increased by a healthy 74.4 percent. Only former Health System Chief Executive Officer and Medical School Dean William Kelley pulled in more than Rodin did, receiving upward of $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 1999. Kelley was fired eight months ago. In addition to her base salary, Rodin also received $52,392 in benefits and a $12,000 expense account. "I am honored by the confidence the Trustees have in me, and grateful for the generous compensation I receive," Rodin said in an e-mail statement. Right behind Rodin, Provost Robert Barchi brought in a combined compensation package of $473,675 for the year. "I am committed to focusing my full efforts on the goals that the President and the Board have set for me," Barchi said in an e-mail. "I believe I have their confidence. It is my responsibility to continue to earn their confidence in my performance each year." Executive Vice President John Fry received $330,000 in base pay during this same year, and just over $17,000 in benefits. Rodin's salary remains one of the highest, both in the Delaware Valley region and the nation as a whole. Last year, her salary was top in the nation, while her combined salary and benefits package placed her fifth. "She is among the highest paid in the country, and I think should be," Chairman of the University Trustees James Riepe said. The University president's salary is determined each year by the compensation committee of the University Trustees. Riepe, who oversees the compensation committee, said the group takes into account a variety of factors and uses the advice of an outside consultant. The salaries of presidents of universities across the nation also comes into play, he said. "Market info helps guide us knowing what to do," he said. But overall, Riepe said, the president's performance is key in determining her pay. "The bottom line is that we think she's one of the outstanding university presidents in the industry, and should be compensated accordingly," he said. Riepe added that Rodin's job necessitates high pay because she oversees both a large academic institution and a health system. And Rodin also pointed out that her high income reflects many hours of work. "I have a wonderful job, but it is a very demanding one," she said in the e-mail. "For much of the year, I work seven days a week, and I am always on call for the University." Vice President of Development Virginia Clark and Vice President and General Counsel Peter Erichsen also broke the $200,000 mark for the year, as did Associate Provost Barbara Lowery and former Vice President of Finance Kathy Engebretson.

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