Vancouver Island University said it did not circumvent provincial compensation caps set for university officials.
According to a release provided Monday by the B.C. NDP, the Island university, along with Capilano University and University of the Fraser Valley, overpaid presidents and executives to the tune of $1.1 million between 2012-14.
“Of 18 executives reported by the universities in the time period examined, 14 were identified as receiving payments in excess of the provided caps,” the release read.
The cap for presidents is set at $225,000, according to the NDP, and in 2014, Ralph Nilson, VIU president, will see a total salary of about $245,000. He made approximately $239,000 and $242,000 in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
However, in a release, the university said the NDP report is inaccurate and misleading. While Nilson’s total salary exceeded the compensation cap, it was negotiated in 2006 and the compensation cap was announced in 2007.
“The president’s base salary has not increased since the date of his hire,” the university said.