Southern Methodist University Salary Data
As a private institution, SMU is not subject to state open records laws, and thus, doesn't publish salary records for all of its employees. However, the university is required to disclose salary information for administrators, key employees and the highest-paid employees to the Internal Revenue Service. This document, the 990 form, is an open record and available to everyone.
On this page, you'll find recent stories about salaries, as well as PDFs of 990s from 2002 onward. We've also created an interactive graphic that enables you to compare different elements of compensation among the highest-paid at SMU.
Note: The IRS changed 990 forms between 2008 and 2009. Comparison between the two forms is difficult.
Read the Stories
President R. Gerald Turner tops the list in total compensation at SMU for the 2009 fiscal year, having received a total of $2,774,000 last year.
SMU is one of the priciest colleges in the country. And it gets more expensive every year. Students and their parents know this better than anyone else since they foot the bill. In return, they expect a quality education from a faculty and staff who are fairly compensated for their work.
Turner's Salary Reaches a Million
There's a new millionaire on the hilltop, as Southern Methodist University's president R. Gerald Turner has now joined this elite club. President Turner's total compensation package reached $1,018,618 for fiscal year 2008, just as the economy was tanking for many others.
SMU President R. Gerald Turner's total compensation topped more than $1 million during the 2008 fiscal year, according to tax returns filed by the university with the Internal Revenue Service. Turner is one of 23 private college leaders to earn more than $1 million during the past year, according to a study by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Download the Tax Returns
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