During the '93-'94 school year, only two presidents received over $500,000, four over $400,000 and 19 over $300,000.
The trend is worrying higher education policy specialists, who said that the salaries for professors haven't seen similar increases.
"The growing salaries of university presidents seem to be excessive," said Ernst Benjamin, director of research for the American Association of University Professors. "It seems to reflect what is going on in corporations, and, while universities do have similar responsibilities, they are also a charity organization."
Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 noted that Rudenstine's salary is below many young executives' and scientists'.
"I don't know how you evaluate the numerical worth of what the President does, but it's hard for me not to think that President Rudenstine, with his enormous experience, is a bargain for Harvard at $290,000," Lewis wrote in an e-mail message.