So the Chronicle of Higher Education is reporting that Cornell President David Skorton earned $730,604 in total compensation last year, between pay and benefits. In dear times like these, that strikes us as a bit high. Skorton should set out enough of his salary to support the full tuition of four undergraduates, say $150,000 a year. Because, really, what's an extra $100,000 or so? And the President's son has already graduated from Stanford so he doesn't have to worry about footing that tuition bill. If this tone might strike you as a bit presumptuous, well, it shouldn't be. After all, other university presidents across the country are doing the exact same thing: Mr. Wrighton, who announced his decision in an e-mail message to the university community, also pointed out that the university’s endowment had declined about 25 percent since July 1, that some capital projects were being delayed and that faculty salary increases would be lower than in past years. Mr. Wrighton said he had a base salary of about $560,000 and a total compensation package of about $780,000. He also earns about $360,000 from serving on two corporate boards. The chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, Mark S. Wrighton, announced on Thursday that he would take a 5 percent cut from his base salary on Jan. 1 and another 5 percent reduction on July 1.
 |  | |
 | ||
