Discover the Earnings of Harvard University’s Highest-Paid Employees: Insights from Tax Filings

Larry Bacow, the former president of Harvard University, was the highest earner at the institution in 2023, taking home about $3.1 million, based on the latest tax filings. This figure includes a base salary of around $1.4 million, with a bonus and various other compensations.

Interestingly, Harvard’s tax filings, known as Form 990, require nonprofits to detail their top earners. The recent report covers fiscal year 2024, and it highlights several other well-compensated individuals at Harvard. For instance, professors Paul Healy and Herman Leonard from the Harvard Business School earned about $2 million each, while computer science professor David Malan made around $1.4 million.

Claudine Gay, who briefly served as president and was the first Black and second female president of Harvard, earned close to $1.4 million. Her tenure was marred by controversy, leading to her resignation after just six months, allegedly due to plagiarism claims and a Congressional hearing on campus antisemitism amid tensions following the war in Gaza.

Current president Alan Garber, who took over following Gay, earned about $1.2 million in 2023. Surprisingly, her base salary was significantly lower than Bacow’s, though it compared favorably to Bacow’s earnings from previous years.

Other notable salaries included Srikant Datar, dean of the Business School, and several other faculty members who surpassed $1 million in total compensation.

The financial landscape at Harvard is shifting, especially after significant federal funding cuts stemming from claims of discrimination and harassment on campus. In March, the university paused hiring and tightened budgets. Garber has publicly advocated for the university’s right to its core principles despite external pressures.

A noteworthy aspect of this situation is how it reflects broader societal trends. As debates around academic freedom and institutional accountability intensify, Harvard’s challenges can be seen in light of similar issues in other universities. A recent survey indicated that nearly 60% of Americans are concerned about discrimination on college campuses, showcasing a national conversation about these critical issues.

Garber has emphasized that the university won’t compromise its principles, even amid threats of a loss of funding. This stance could reshape discussions about higher education’s role in society and the boundaries of government influence in academic settings.

Feel free to explore more about the details of these funding cuts and the implications for Harvard’s future here.

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