Sexton among top earners in 2008

Correction appended

NYU President John Sexton is ranked as the highest-paid university president on a list of the highest-compensated nonprofit executives. The list, published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, finds Sexton's total pay package to be $1,385,339.

Sexton's compensation included a benefits package of $32,365 and an expense allowance near $88,000. These expenses include car and driver services and the use of an off-campus apartment, according to 2007 university tax returns, on which the survey is based. These tax returns cover university expenses and income from Sept. 1, 2007 to Aug. 31, 2008.

Overall, Sexton is fifth on the compensation list, behind the director of the Museum of Modern Art and the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera Association. The report's rankings were compiled through a survey of 325 of the nation's largest charities and foundations on the compensation of their top executives during 2008, or of the most recent data available.

Still, Sexton is not the highest-paid college president — the Chronicle does not compile data on all colleges and their leadership teams. Additionally, he is not the highest-paid NYU staff member; Dr. James Grifo, a fertility specialist at the NYU Langone Medical Center, made $2,810,288 for the year.

Martin Lipton, chair of the NYU Board of Trustees, said the board takes its responsibility to set compensation "very seriously."

"John Sexton's compensation reflects not only the fact that he is running one of the largest universities in the country and one of the largest employers in New York, but also his widely admired record of achievement," Lipton said.

NYU spokesman John Beckman noted that, despite the economic downturn, the university raised more than $375 million last year, an achievement he attributed to Sexton.

"This achievement is a ratification of John Sexton's leadership and a reflection of the donors' belief in the course that is being charted for NYU," Beckman said.

Following Sexton in the pay package rankings were the presidents of Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and Johns Hopkins universities, and the University of Southern California.

For CAS senior and Take Back NYU member Drew Phillips, Sexton's level of pay is "not acceptable." Phillips participated in TBNYU's occupation of the Kimmel Center this past February. The occupation was an effort to compel the university to disclose its budget, among other demands.

Phillips said more money should be allocated toward financial aid.

"I think it's sad that he still accepts such a high pay while students are getting financial aid cut left and right," Phillips said.

Additional reporting by Zarrin Maani and Clarissa Wei. Michaela Kron is university editor. Eric Platt is deputy managing editor.

The original version of this article incorrectly reported that NYU President John Sexton has rooms in Hayden residence hall. Sexton does not live in Hayden. He lives in a university-owned apartment at 29 Washington Square West. WSN regrets the error.