Higher ed: Top CUNY official gets eye-popping 16% pay bump, bringing salary to over $320K
The City University of New York is often generously called “The Poor Man’s Harvard” — but maybe not when it comes to administrative salaries.
CUNY ‘s Board of Trustees on Monday night approved an eye-popping $320,681 salary for Gayle Horwitz, who was elevated to senior vice chancellor as well as secretary to the board.
That figure at the public university far exceeds the $250,000 salary for Gov. Kathy Hochul and $258,000 compensation for Mayor Eric Adams.
Horwitz, who has held top posts at CUNY since 2016, saw her salary jump from $267,628 — a 16% increase, records show.
Horwitz has long been a confidante of CUNY Board chairman Bill Thompson.
She was a top deputy to Thompson when he served as city comptroller, and earlier when he was chairman of the New York City Board of Education.
Thompson announced her salary hike — the item added to the agenda at the end of the CUNY board meeting.
Another CUNY administrator, Anne Fenton, saw her salary jump 17% from $176,566 to $212,566 — a 17% increase.
“Let me thank you both for the work you do,” Thompson said after the vote for the pay raises amid applause from the trustees.
But the hikes raised eyebrows.
“It doesn’t set the best example for students struggling to make ends meet and complete their education,” one state official, who requested anonymity, said.
“There should be a higher level of sacrifice for people in these positions and instead use resources to support students in their quest for a degree.”
Ken Girardin, director of research at the Empire Center for Public Policy whose “See Through NY” website posts government payrolls, said, “Most students at CUNY can only dream of making that salary.”
CUNY defended the salaries.
“CUNY recognizes that it must remain competitive in order to recruit and retain talented staff,” a spokesperson said.
“For nearly a decade, through financial challenges and a global pandemic, Gayle and Anne have been essential to helping the Board carry out its fiduciary responsibilities, advance the cause of good governance and protect the University’s core commitment to equal access and opportunity,” the rep said.
Another CUNY official said Horwitz deserved the raise.
“Gayle is one of the hardest working people at CUNY,” the source said.
CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez makes $670,000.
Last week, CUNY entered into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Education to resolve nine discrimination complaints alleging antisemitism, Islamophobia and other harassment — many occurring well before Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.