Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval will have more money to spend on Christmas presents this year with the 10% bump to his base salary that California State University trustees approved last month.

Jiménez-Sandoval’s annual base salary will climb from $476,015 to $523,617, making him the fifth-highest paid CSU president among the 18 who are not interim or acting presidents.

But that’s not all — Jiménez-Sandoval also will be eligible for a new category of pay, “at-risk performance pay,” that could boost his pay by another 10%.

Money for at-risk performance pay won’t come from the state general fund or student tuition or fees, but instead they will be derived from philanthropic sources accumulated through the CSU Chancellor’s Office.

Eligible for Incentive Pay

Twelve of the 18 CSU university presidents, including Jiménez-Sandoval, could receive at-risk performance pay ranging from 5% to 15% of their base pay if they achieve performance goals tied to CSU’s strategic priorities.

The goals will be reviewed yearly by the chancellor “and are intended to reinforce accountability, performance excellences, and strategic alignment,” the trustees’ agenda said.

CSU spokeswoman Amy Bentley-Smith on Monday provided no additional details on what those goals will entail. “I don’t have specifics for Dr. Jimenez-Sandoval,” she said in an email.

The executives’ compensation recommendations were approved Nov. 19, with all CSU trustees except Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis voting to approve.

In addition to his base salary and incentive pay, Jiménez-Sandoval also receives health and retirement benefits and lives rent-free in the state-owned University House in Old Fig Garden.

He is not, however, eligible for CSU’s deferred compensation program, Bentley-Smith said.

3% One-Time Pay for Faculty, Staffers

The California Faculty Association, the union that represents university faculty members, protested the hefty pay raises being awarded to university presidents at a time when programs are being cut and staffers laid off.

They were not mollified by Chancellor Mildred Garcia’s recent decision to use a $144 million zero-interest loan from the state to award CSU employees a one-time payment equal to 3% of their pay.

“Chancellor Garcia, let the bargaining table be the space where we discuss faculty salaries,” Vang Vang, CFA treasurer and Fresno State librarian said in a news release. “Don’t cheat faculty by flattering us with a one-time compensation!”