Universities in Wisconsin have approved pay increases for more than half of the system’s chancellors, annual bonuses for those who retain freshmen students, and significant payouts for the UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin for each year she remains at the university. The raises were approved by voice vote, with the intention of retaining top talent and aligning Mnookin’s compensation with other Big 10 universities.
Allocations for basic wage increases amount to $155,201 for eight out of the 13 chancellors. Mnookin will receive the largest raise of 10%, raising her annual salary from $811,512 to $892,663. Various chancellors will see raises ranging from 2% to 5%, while others did not receive raises due to different circumstances, such as impending resignation or recently assuming the chancellor position.
Additional to the salary raises, the new pay structure includes bonuses of up to 15% of their salary for chancellors who meet freshmen retention goals. Mnookin, however, is excluded from the retention bonus but will receive significant sums for her tenure at UW-Madison, escalating yearly until reaching $350,000 in the 2028-2029 fiscal year.
This decision coincides with the financial challenges facing the university system due to declining enrollment and stable state funding. The system has had to close or announce plans to close six two-year branch campuses since 2023. Despite a recent 4% increase in tuition after a decade-long freeze, several four-year schools are still projected to have deficits in the upcoming academic year.
Governor Tony Evers intends to request $800 million for the system in the next budget, with the hope of securing pay raises for all UW employees. However, the fate of this request may be uncertain depending on the results of the fall elections and the political landscape at that time. Republican officials, including those on key education committees, have not provided immediate comments on the approved raises.