Salary for Sexton is extremely excessive

A recent report from The Chronicle of Philanthropy listed NYU President John Sexton as the fifth highest-paid top official at a large nonprofit organization when considering total pay packages. Sexton's pay package reached almost $1.4 million in 2008, putting him among the top 10 best-paid presidents in higher education.

The WSN Editorial Board thinks Sexton's salary is extremely excessive. In light of other university cuts, he should take a symbolic pay cut out of solidarity with the rest of us. University spokesman John Beckman and Board of Trustees Chairman Martin Lipton approve of Sexton's exorbitant income, saying it reflects his hard work. We agree that the university has fared well under Sexton. His plans for expansion and his list of projects— including NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU 2031— are both impressive and beneficial, and his fundraising efforts have been successful. And the university's endowment has shrunk far less than those of comparable institutions during the economic drought.

However, we still think his earnings are unwarranted, especially in light of the recession. The current economy has prompted NYU to take drastic financial measures. Students have lost free printing, water bottles in dining halls and various bus routes, among other amenities. Tisch film equipment insurance policies have been altered at the expense of students, and both NYU tuition and housing prices continue to climb. Some staff and faculty members have received pay cuts. Others have been let go. Meanwhile, Sexton continues to earn approximately the same salary he did before the economic crisis hit.

Our proposal of a pay cut has nothing to do with job performance. Sexton does do enough for the university to justify a salary in this general range. But accepting a lesser income would be a true display of unity with the rest of the university. It seems unfair to us that Sexton makes such an inordinate amount of money while the university in general — from students to staff — faces constant budget cuts. Sexton will speak nonstop about his commitment to NYU, but as students and faculty suffer because of the economy, his pocketbook hasn't really become any lighter.

We understand that Sexton has immense responsibilities as the face of NYU. But in that role, he should prove his devotion to the university and suffer with the rest of us, rather than watch us suffer from the window of his university-funded private car.

E-mail the editorial board at editboard@nyunews.com.