In a ProPublica report released this week on Point Park’s IRS 990 tax-exemption form, Charles Perkins, a professor in the Rowland School of Business, was revealed to be the highest paid faculty member of the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Perkins made $155,728 in 2023, plus $23,491 for other reasons not specified, totalling $179,219.
Stephen Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business where Perkins teaches, made $199,575 total in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
The roughly $20,000 difference in pay between the two is the closest difference in faculty and administration wages throughout the university, according to the report.
Lou Corsaro, assistant vice president of public relations for Point Park, said, “This was Professor Perkins’ annual salary, along with overload and course development stipend payments.”
“For calendar year 2022, he was a full-time faculty member. He became a part-time faculty member in September 2023, then later a professor emeritus,” Corsaro said. “He is currently employed as a professor emeritus and is compensated for the courses he teaches, with a maximum of two, as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement with faculty.”
Fiscal years end in August, so Point Park’s report concludes in August of 2023.
Channa Newman, a former professor, is listed as the highest compensated faculty member in the report.
She received $223,799 from an exit deal reached after she filed a 19-count lawsuit alleging discrimination.
Karen McIntyre was also paid for an exit deal reached because of a lawsuit. She received $212,285.
The highest paid employee in the 2022-2023 fiscal year was Paul Hennigan, former president, who was paid $820,256. He was paid an extra $48,037 in addition to his base compensation, totalling $868,293.
Corsaro said his compensation was a part of his retirement agreement, referring to it as a “vested deferred” payment.
“This type of deferred compensation is a common practice in higher education and other sectors, designed to recognize long standing service and contributions,” said Corsaro.
Don Green, the president proceeding Hennigan who stepped down in the Spring 2023 semester, was paid $476,793. He received an additional $442,037 in his exit, totalling $918,830. This made Green the highest paid cumulatively.
According to ProPublica’s report, executive compensation at Point Park totalled $3,078,455, or 2.4% of their total expenses.
Other salaries and wages totalled $35,023,401, or 27% of total expenses. The report does not specify whose salaries and wages are included in the figure.
The university lost $12,989,439 in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Corsaro said this deficit was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The University saw a significant decrease in enrollment during that time,” Corsaro said. “The Fall 2024 semester is showing a noticeable uptick in enrollment, and building on that increase is a primary focus for Point Park in the years ahead, as defined in Pioneer Vision 2030, our current strategic plan.”
An independent auditors’ report filed by Baker Tilly, an accounting firm in Pittsburgh, said, “The accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the University as of August 31, 2023 and 2022.”
