President Szymanski to be paid around half a million this year: Country club membership included
November 20, 2019
President Szymanski will be paid more than a half-million dollars, up to $575,000 this year to be exact. Yet, Florida law prohibits state university presidents from being paid more than $200,000 in state funds. To circumvent this law, Szymanski, as well as most other Florida public university presidents, are paid through their university’s foundation. The money from these foundations is not considered “state funds,” so universities can pay their presidents a lot more. And President Szymanski will be receiving a lot more.
At a September 12th meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to additionally pay for his up to $15,000 initiation fee for Szymanski to join the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, and the River Club. In addition, he will be paid for his membership dues at those clubs. The trustees present unanimously voted in favor of this motion, including Student Government President John Aloszka. Spinnaker asked Aloszka about the vote. He told Spinnaker he couldn’t really comment, but the decisions regarding Szymanski’s contract were made before he was on the BOT and he just approved paying the club dues recent increase.
President Szymanski’s current pay and compensation is as follows:
- $405,000 first year’s base salary, and a $435,000 base salary in 4 years
- $2,000/mo ($24,000/yr) car allowance
- Up to $2,500/yr for “miscellaneous memberships”
- $36,000 relocation fee
- $45,000/yr housing allowance
- Max award (Bonus) per contract year: $65,000 this year, up to $95,000 in 4 years
Ponte Vedra Inn and Club was contacted in regards to the price of their memberships, but they would not disclose the price of Szymanski’s memberships, or any of their memberships, because they are “a private club.”
Spinnaker asked the University to explain how country club memberships help the President do his job. In response, they released this statement saying, “Memberships like these are not uncommon in presidential contracts,” and “this membership will allow him to engage with community leaders and assist with fundraising opportunities.”
Former President Delaney tells Spinnaker that the club memberships for Presidents outweigh the costs, elaborating that “Fundraising takes up a significant portion of a university president’s time, and most months a UNF President raises $1-2 million. These two clubs are traditional meeting places for donors and UNF supporters and a good place to build good will.”
Delaney however, was already a member of the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club as well as the River Club prior to coming to UNF. When the recession hit, he gave up his UNF paid club memberships, and hosted donors using his private memberships.
UNF is one of only four public four-year universities in Florida to include country club memberships in their president’s contract.
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For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact editor@unfspinnaker.com.
Justin • Apr 19, 2020 at 7:39 pm
This president has stripped UNF of any identify it ever had. There is no more tradition at this school. Tradition and school culture happen organically not made up in some board room. If anything this president should be fired or receive a pay cut. None of the students he supposedly “represents” like him at all.
Hank • Dec 8, 2019 at 2:43 pm
I like the Former President better! What has the new guy done?
Gary • Nov 21, 2019 at 3:37 pm
The intention behind this article is shameful. This “news” outlet should be ashamed of its self. President Szymanski is not “stealing” any money from the university, or the students. The majority of the university’s financial decisions and allocations are made by members of the university Foundation Board, and the Board of Trustees. Furthermore, we all have student debt and to think that the President’s salary has a direct impact on the cost of education is outrageous.
In his first two years, President Szymanski and his Executive team have worked to attract the largest, and most diverse class in the university’s history. He has allocated the largest amount of funds to expand Pell Grant funding for students who deserve it. He has worked to decrease student fees to drive down the cost of education, to decrease student debt.
It is necessary that President Szymanski have memberships to the area’s most exclusive clubs. Members of the community that have the capital to give to the university are usually members of these clubs. Thus the reason why it is crucial for him to represent the university with these community stakeholders.
Riley • Nov 21, 2019 at 9:36 am
As a Senior at UNF, hearing this news was extremely bothersome. I’ll be graduating with student loan debt, and I currently drive a car that is worth about one month of our presidents ‘car allowance’. On top of this, I couldn’t name one productive thing this president has done. UNF was a more fun, more inclusive society when I first came here, and since then, the president has arrived he has banned tailgates, created “safe zones” and has ultimately suggested removing all of Greek life from campus. He should have his salary cut in half, with NO free subscriptions!
Madi • Nov 21, 2019 at 12:25 am
Seems like a scammer to me. Great article ??
Wow • Nov 20, 2019 at 4:07 pm
students* not parents
Wow • Nov 20, 2019 at 4:05 pm
This is absolutely ridiculous the students have to put up with this absolute buffoon as a president. If Syzmanski follow the Florida law and accept only $200,000 per year rather than steal $400,000 a year from students (4.8 million over the next 12 years), the students could see a multitude of improvements. Crooked Syzmanksi loves to talk about how he wants to better the university. But all his actions show us is that hes here to rob the school of its character,pride, and the money that is set aside for parents. At $200,000 per year Syzmanksi was in the top 0.04% of the world in wealth. Obviously that was not enough for him as he decided to steal another $400,000 directly from the students. How can we get this embarrassment and clown out of the university ?