Trent president Bonnie Patterson was paid almost $258K in 2005 ($257,975.22). Patterson's total reportable remuneration increased by 5.3% (almost $13,000) over 2004. Taken separately Patterson's 2005 base salary increased by $10,800, or 4.8%, while her taxable benefits increased by $2,089, or 10.2%. As usual Patterson earned more than any other Trent employee according to the salary disclosure for 2005. But the question remains as to whether or not Patterson earned the increase on the merits of her performance.

The Trent University salary disclosure for 2005 is may be found below. The salary disclosures for the local hospital, the school boards, the City of Peterborough and Sir Sandford Fleming College were published in the Examiner on March 18, 2006.

Locally the Trent president's base salary was eclipsed only by a three individuals, two in health care and one at the local public school board.

Perhaps more interesting is the an analysis of how the Trent president's salary has increased over the past 9 years . During Patterson's incumbency the average presidential remuneration increase has been about 7.2%/year. The presidential remuneration has grown by about 47% over what it was in 1999.

It is interesting exercise to figure out what that the president is paid on an hourly basis. To do so we first have to determine how many hours the president works. Patterson has consistently maintained, and apparently increased, a set responsibilities outside of Trent. These responsibilities necessarily detract from the quantity and quantity of time she has available to dedicate to Trent University - her primary employer. Some have suggested that Patterson's outside commitments effectively reduce the Trent presidency to a part-time job.

For argument's sake we'll be gernerous and assume the president actually puts in the standard 35 hours per week expected of most employees at Trent - and actually works on Trent matters during that time. Let's assume the president takes only 4 weeks vacation. We'll also assume that the president works all other scheduled holidays (civic, statutory, etc.), perhaps out of dedication, or possibly to make up for some of the time spent elsewhere. We'll also assume the president takes off Trent's annual two week Christmas & New Year shutdown. That would amount to 46 working weeks.

Trent's president therefore earns about $160/hour. That's $40 every 15 minutes, which is about the time it takes to go for a coffee.

The next time you consider asking the Trent president to join you for a cup of coffee at Tim Horton's, or any other multi-national food franchise on campus, remember it costs the university about $40. So you may as well get the president to pay for the coffee (but watch to see if she asks for a receipt for purposes of reimbursement).

References:

• Trent President's Salary Increases since 1997
• Trent University Salary Disclosure
  Record of Trent University Employees' 2005 Salary and Benefits
• Controversy, budget over-runs & legal battles: Give Pres a raise!
  OurTrent article - March 21, 2005
• More Time Away For Trent President Patterson?
  OurTrent article - November 25, 2005
• Trent President Bonnie Patterson's pay tops $245,000 in 2004
  OurTrent article - March 21, 2005
• Trent President Bonnie Patterson's pay tops $240,350 in 2003
  OurTrent article - March 20, 2004