At a time when college students are facing tuition hikes and cuts in programming, the president of Red Deer College will receive a 25 per cent salary increase.
Joel Ward will make $262,456 with the raise, compared to roughly $209,000 previously. The wage is all in, which means no perks.
However, the pay increase does not sit well with students.
Derrick Callan, president of the Students’ Association of Red Deer College, said the college board is not being fiscally responsible. Callan said the president should forgo the increase and the money should be used on something that directly impacts students.
The board of governors established a president’s salary pay scale based on 10 levels, with a five per cent increase from one level to the next, at its last board meeting on Dec. 13.
The starting wage for a new president with no experience is $226,719 and the top of the scale is $351,716.
Full story in Thursday’s Advocate.