Many proponents of capitalism trumpet competitive pay as an excellent, freeing system. It allows the individual to climb the ladder of their own fortune, to an extent. 

But can this sentiment be taken too far? 

Just before the busy week of Thanksgiving, the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees announced that Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, among other high-ranking CSU executives, will receive a significant salary raise. Officials say the increases are necessary to maintain competitive pay. 

Competition, competition and more competition; it’s supposed to keep employees happy and hardworking. But, as the news about the president’s pay increase has had time to sink in, some have weighed in and challenged the CSU’s plan for excellence.

“This idea for having competitive salaries to attract the best and brightest sounds great, but the reality is, you just attract people who want to make more money in operating off of such an ideological conceit,” said Andrew Jones, the president of the Fresno California Faculty Association chapter. 

A predicament jumps out: When one school in the CSU increases its president’s pay, then, in the name of competition, its sister campuses must follow suit. At what point does the cycle stop? Will executive salaries keep going higher, and higher and higher? In the world of CEOs — and college football coaches nationwide — they certainly have.  

Jones added that the idea might have had some merit if it didn’t strictly apply to administrative positions, and that the chancellor and upper administration are treating the CSU like a “corporation.” 

In fact, he said that this mindset has reverse effects on Fresno State community members. 

“We are losing staff to community colleges and K-12 school districts, as the pay and benefits are far better than they are at Fresno State,” Jones said. 

For Jiménez-Sandoval, his yearly pay will go from roughly $476,000 to $523,000 — about a 10% increase. The funds will come largely from tuition and state funding, making Jiménez-Sandoval the fifth-highest-paid CSU president. 

Jiménez-Sandoval, in response to written questions from The Collegian, agreed with some community members that the optics of all of this just aren’t great. 

“I understand why this decision raises concerns, especially at a time when universities nationwide, including the CSU system and Fresno State, in particular, are facing real fiscal pressures that affect class availability and campus resources,” Jiménez-Sandoval said. “The optics matter, and it’s important to acknowledge that this decision can appear ill-timed.  Ultimately, the decision is intended to increase stability across the CSU at a pivotal moment that demands a redoubled commitment to our institutional mission.” 

Jiménez-Sandoval said he is grateful to have been asked about the matter directly, though he himself did not make the decision to increase executive salaries. 

In terms of resources, there is seemingly a war of administrators versus staff, faculty and students. 

Amid these pay raises, as Jiménez-Sandoval alluded to, there is a sharp juxtaposition between that and financial distress within the CSU. Together, they make for some scary perceptions. 

One student, Sebastian Walker, a third-year social work major, called the pay increases “insane and unnecessary” in response to a question box posted to The Collegian’s Instagram story. 

“His [Jiménez-Sandoval’s] pay increase is completely out of touch with the lived reality of several students I’ve talked to,” Walker said to The Collegian. “While he’s living comfortably in his fancy house, students are dealing with rising tuition and limited course availability that is leading to delayed graduations and increasing financial stress.” 

In 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the CSUs would see some major cuts in funding. Initially, Newsom proposed a 7.95% cut of $375.2 million, which was reduced to 2.82% and $143.8 million after widespread petitions and protests broke out following the announcement. 

Still, Fresno State will see a $7 million reduction. To fill this gap, the university is relying on one-time carry-forward funds. 

“I think it was an inappropriate move by the [CSU] board of trustees,” said Associated Students, Inc. President Camalah Saleh. “But I think it kind of, I hope, sparks and signals people to pay attention to the CSU Board of Trustees. They have a lot of power.” 

CSU pay breakdown 

Over the years, Jiménez-Sandoval’s pay has steadily increased. 

• When he was appointed as president in 2021, EdSource reported that the board approved his salary of $348,423 and a $1,000 auto allowance. 
• In 2022, according to OpenPayrolls, he made $358,582. In 2023, his salary was up to $372,809.
• From 2022-23, Jiménez-Sandoval moved up from number 28 on the list of the highest-paid CSU employees to number 20. 
• In 2023, the average salary for any CSU employee was about $65,000. This means  Jiménez-Sandoval made about 473.55% more than the average employee in 2023. 

Jiménez-Sandoval was also approved for up to a 10% at-risk performance pay, meaning that if he reaches a certain performance criterion set by the board, he can receive up to a 10% bonus. 

“If anything it [the pay increases] just shows loopholes that are made to benefit certain people,” said D’Carlo Barragan, a third-year business administration major. 

Of course, it’s not just Jiménez-Sandoval in this picture. 

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo President Jeffrey Armstrong’s salary will go from $509,336 to $611,203. California State University, Northridge President Erika Beck is going from making $489,576 a year to $563,012.

Closer to Jiménez Sandoval’s boat is San Francisco State President Lynn Mahoney, whose salary will increase from $472,857 to $520,143. 

Then there’s the CSU chancellor herself, Mildred García, who makes $795,000 per year. 

For reference, U.S. President Donald Trump’s base salary is $400,000. 

All quiet on Fresno State’s front 

Jones told The Collegian that the main issue here isn’t what the executives have — it’s what the rest of the CSU employees don’t. 

“We are underpaid compared to other CSU campuses, and I’m including both faculty and staff in that comparison,” Jones said. “The base salary for lecturers is $66,000 a year, and I estimate the president’s new salary comes out to about $43,000 a month.” 

He said that some faculty and staff members are working side jobs because they cannot live on their Fresno State income alone, and if administrators are getting raises, everyone else should, too. 

Fresno State students are practically begging for some answers from their administrators. Amy Bentley-Smith, director of media relations and public affairs at the CSU office of the chancellor,  responded to a few Collegian questions via email. 

Straight from the source 

The Collegian asked Bentley-Smith about the optics of the situation, especially considering the major funding cuts over the last year. 

Bentley-Smith referred The Collegian to a FAQ sheet in response. 

When asked another question regarding pay gaps between executives and staff, Bentley-Smith’s response pointed — once again — to the value of competition. 

“The CSU is committed to fair and competitive salaries for all employees based on job-specific responsibilities, market analysis of a job classification and employee experience and qualifications,” Bentley-Smith said. “All positions will not make the same amount.” 

She then referred The Collegian to the FAQ sheet. 

Then it came time for the big question: Why? Why did the board decide to increase the salaries? 

“The CSU serves nearly half a million students — the largest public higher education system in the nation,” Bentley-Smith said. “Strong and steady leadership across campuses is vital to ensuring their success. Retaining experienced leaders is critical to maintaining continuity, morale and progress at every campus … the goal is a stronger, more stable workforce at all levels — one that empowers faculty, staff and students alike.” 

It seems that the salary increases were granted to keep these executives around. One might wonder, was the $476,000 not enough? 

For those receiving these increases, stability is looking quite grand. 

“Executive pay is but one part of a larger problem, which is a fundamental restructuring of the CSU that will be to the detriment of students, faculty, staff and the communities that are home to the CSU campuses,” Jones said.