New York State Senator James Skoufis has raised concerns over what he describes as an excessive pay increase for SUNY Chancellor John King. In a strongly worded statement, Skoufis criticized the salary and housing allowance increase granted to the chancellor, calling it a misuse of taxpayer funds at a time when many New Yorkers and SUNY students are struggling financially.
SUNY spokesperson Holly Liapis defended the compensation package for King, stating that his salary aligns with his leadership of the nation’s largest statewide public higher education system. Liapis also said that even after a recent pay adjustment approved by SUNY trustees in November, King’s salary remains over $100,000 lower than that of comparable public university leaders in states such as California, Maryland, and Texas.
King, who was appointed to lead the State University of New York (SUNY) system, initially accepted a salary of $750,000 per year along with a $12,500 monthly housing allowance. However, according to Skoufis, King has since received a $125,000 pay raise and an additional $2,500 increase in housing stipends. Skoufis argues that these financial perks are out of touch with the economic realities faced by many New Yorkers.
“New Yorkers are working hard just to make ends meet, and many SUNY students are taking on extra jobs to afford tuition and basic expenses,” Skoufis said. “Meanwhile, the chancellor’s salary is now nearly four times that of the state’s governor. This is elitist. This is offensive.”
Skoufis also criticized what he sees as a lack of transparency in approving the pay increase, suggesting that efforts were made to keep the raise from public scrutiny. In response, he plans to reintroduce legislation (S.6113 of 2023) that would require legislative and budgetary approval for any salary adjustments made for SUNY and CUNY chancellors, presidents, and senior staff members. He is urging the Legislature and Governor to include these oversight measures in the state budget, with the goal of rolling back the pay raise and limiting future increases.
The issue of executive compensation in public institutions has long been a point of debate in New York, with concerns over rising tuition costs and state budget constraints. While supporters of competitive salaries for top administrators argue that they help attract strong leadership, critics like Skoufis believe public funds should be more responsibly allocated.
As discussions on the state budget progress, the debate over SUNY leadership salaries is likely to continue, with Skoufis pushing for greater accountability in how taxpayer money is spent.