More than Meets the Eye

As GoLocal reported in the story PSU President's Salary More than Meets the Eye, Wiewel's salary, which is listed at $401,700, is actually closer to $600,000. While much was made of the President's salary not rising when he received a new contract earlier this year, he receives plenty of perks and benefits as part of his compensation.

Free Housing

Chief among Wiewel's perks as President is his use of the University-owned President's house on SW Miliary Road in Portland. Wiewel and his family live at the home, which is valued at $2.1 million by Zillow.com. The University pays for any upkeep or repairs needed.

Home Business

As GoLocal reported last week, in addition to living in his University-owned home, Wiewel uses the home as the business address for his for-profit consulting business, Wiewel Consulting. 

Maid Service

Included in the upkeep costs of the home covered by Portland State University is the house's cleaning. Once a week, maids from the University-owned University Place hotel clean the family's home from top to bottom, all on PSU's dime.

Gardening

Wiewel and his family also receive gardening service while at the President's house. It is, again, paid for by the University.

Free Car

Wiewel also enjoys automobile expense reimbursements. He receives a stipend of $750 a month for his vehicle costs.

Sabbatical

One of the biggest new perks Wiewel received in his latest contract is a sabbatical provision. According to the new clause, Wiewel is free to take a sabbatical of one year following the completion of his current three-year contract, and receive his base salary pay, along with travel and automobile fees, as long as he returns the next year as a faculty member.

Use of University Employe

As GoLocal reported on Tuesday, Wiewel has been using his executive assistant to communicate with private consulting clients and schedule meetings with them.

Students Speak Out

Portland State University students have been outspoken regarding the President's conduct. Letty Martinez, a student, said she thought his actions regarding his executive assistant were "infuriating" and "unconscionable." 

Kate Subblefield, another student, said “The benefits that Wim receives are very surprising when looked at compared to what students at PSU have access to,” she said.  “Student housing prices are high, food security on campus is hard to come by, and tuition increases mean that students need to spend more time at work to secure the things that President Wiewel receives as part of his contract.”

Experts Criticize

Students have not been the only ones to decry Wiewel's actions. Mark Alfano, Associate Professor of Ethics at the University of Oregon, said Wiewel's actions go against classical definitions of justice.

“I'm not a legal expert, so I won't speak to the legality of what he's doing," he said. "On the other hand, when something stinks this bad, there ought to be a law.”