UNC gives raises to top administrators

UNC-Chapel Hill’s athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, recently received a 10 percent raise, bringing his annual pay to $642,268.

The $58,388 increase for Cunningham was the largest among those approved for nine high-ranking university administrators, who got raises or bonuses ranging from 1 percent to 10 percent.

The increases were part of the annual raise process, according to a university spokesman who said new salary levels were retroactive to July 1, 2015. Trustees initially approved the increases in a December mail ballot, which was ratified last week. The vote last week was unanimous.

Dwight Stone, trustee chairman, said Wednesday the decisions were made in part by looking at median salaries of similar administrators at peer universities. The board also looked at Atlantic Coast Conference athletic director salaries in the case of Cunningham.

“We think Bubba’s doing a great job,” Stone said. “He’s very well respected across the country and has sort of a universal view of athletics and where we should be. Very well respected within the NCAA. He deserved the raise.”

The nine administrators, at the vice chancellor level, are all paid more than $300,000 a year. Annual increases ranged from $3,183 to Cunningham’s $58,388. Salary levels for the administrators all fall below the maximum range approved for their positions by the UNC system.

“Administratively, our job is to try to keep the best talent,” Stone added. “We have people trying to pick off our people all the time.”

Stone said the board also hopes to make adjustments in faculty pay too.

The sources of money for the UNC raises vary by individual, said Jim Gregory, director of media relations, and typically include a mix of state taxpayer dollars and private funds.

Trustees also approved raises for some professors, mostly tied to promotions.

The increases come in a year when state employees received a $750 bonus – but no raise.

Administrators’ raises were recommended by Chancellor Carol Folt, who recently received a 9.6 percent raise, which brought her annual base pay to $570,000.

Folt and 11 other UNC system chancellors were given raises in December by the UNC Board of Governors. The board’s closed-door vote on the increases was criticized by some faculty groups and legislators.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 7:06 PM with the headline "UNC gives raises to top administrators."