Sifter

The presidents of the 23 campuses of the California State University system work hard. But they aren’t hurting for bucks, either. While some say we’re lucky we don’t lose these leaders to higher-paying private industry, others might have a hard time swallowing the idea that some presidents’ housing allowance is more than most Chicoans’ annual family income. You be the judge. All pale in comparison to Chancellor Charles Reed’s $362,500-a-year salary, which is boosted by a $30,000-a-year gift from the CSU Foundation and was raised from $316,692 in 2004-05.

Campus, president ‘05-'06 salary/housing

1. San Luis Obispo Warren Baker $286,896/$60,000

2. Long Beach Robert Maxon/F. King Alexander $280,008

3. Los Angeles James Rosser $270,906/$60,000

4. (tie) San Diego Stephen Weber $261,144

5. (tie) San Francisco Robert Corrigan $261,144/$60,000

6. Humboldt Rollin C. Richmond $260,376/$50,000

7. (tie) Fullerton Milton Gordon $255,024

8. (tie) Northridge Jolene Koester $255,024

9. (tie) Sacramento Alexander Gonzalez $255,024/$60,000

10. (tie) San Jose Don Kassing $255,024

11. Fresno John Welty $253,836

12. Sonoma Ruben Armiñana $252,948/$60,000

13. Bakersfield Horace Mitchell $249,048/$50,000

14. Dominguez Hills James E. Lyons Sr. $241,788

15. Chico Paul J. Zingg $237,756/$50,000

* housing provided by CSU