Former Fresno State vice president Deborah Adishian-Astone received a major pay raise and will make more state compensation than anyone on campus in 2024, according to a major Colorado State University report released this month. The year she led the Fresno State Foundation was riddled with governance and operational flaws that left it vulnerable to malfeasance and fraud.
A Cal State review produced a 32-page report that found 46 areas requiring remedial action at the nonprofit auxiliary, which manages more than $315 million in donor gifts and university endowments, as well as post-grant awards and programs. The review, which looks at fiscal year 2024, found problems with budgeting and financial practices, indirect cost recovery, donation management and internal controls.
Adishian-Astone’s total compensation for fiscal 2024 is $461,319, which includes $97,213 in “other compensation,” a one-time encashment of paid excess vacation, vacation or sick leave. She retires at the end of 2024. Her base salary is $364,107, an 18.4% increase from fiscal year 2023, according to a state employee salary database maintained by the Sacramento Bee. This raise is not a one-time raise. This includes a 5% systemwide general salary increase in 2023 and 2024, as well as an 8% equity increase effective in 2023, according to the university.
With the one-time cash payment, Adishian-Astone becomes the highest-paid non-chancellor administrator at the 23 campuses of the California State University system, the nation’s largest four-year public university. Her total compensation for fiscal 2024 is higher than that of Fresno Gov. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
Jimenez-Sandoval, who was in his third year as principal at the time of the review, was paid $446,580 in fiscal 2024. The Colorado State University Board of Trustees in November approved a significant pay raise for campus presidents, along with increases in housing subsidies, performance bonuses and deferred compensation for some presidents, even as campuses across the system face budget cuts and layoffs. Fresno State’s governor’s salary will now reach $523,617, a 17.3% increase.
The pay raises for the chancellor and top administrators, combined with intense scrutiny of the foundation by Colorado State University’s Audit and Advisory Services department, have angered faculty and staff at a time when they are under pressure from state budget cuts.
“Fresno State’s failure of administrative oversight of university finances and overpayment of administrators is not surprising,” Vang Vang, director of the Fresno State Library and California Teachers Association statewide treasurer, said in a statement to The Fresno Bee.
“This is just one of many attempts by governments to treat universities as businesses rather than public education systems. I love working at Fresno State – its mission, values and the difference we can make for students and the community. So I hope what the auditors found and recommended will be implemented. It’s not too late. Fresno State deserves better, and our members will continue to push for transparency and accountability to ensure our students know how their money is spent.”
Adishian Aston, who currently serves as special assistant to the president at San Jose State University, has not yet responded to The Bee’s request for comment on the CSU review or for this article. Fresno State released a copy of CSU’s review on Jan. 9, and Jimenez-Sandoval did not respond to a request for further comment beyond issuing a written statement.
Here is a list of the other highest-paid individuals at Fresno State for fiscal year 2024
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former football coach Jeff Tedford Fresno State ranks third in state salaries $390,634 —The total salary is $1.8 millionwhich includes supplemental compensation, performance bonuses and benefits provided through the College Athletic Corporation.
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Kent Willisthe university’s former vice president for student affairs, ranked fourth $380,133 Includes one-time redemption of benefits. Willis leaves college in 2024.
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provost Fu Xuanning Ranked fifth $333,844.
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Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Baujoli Ranked sixth in $287,767 USD Vice President for University Advancement Brady Cook Ranked ninth $275,883.
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The other three spots in the top 10 are occupied by track and field coaches — former women’s basketball coaches Jamie White Ranked seventh in $285,975former basketball coach Justin Hutson Ranked eighth in $273,804 and former football defensive coordinator. Kevin Coyle Ranked 10th in $263,834.
According to a Colorado State University report, the Fresno State Foundation had numerous issues that were contrary to industry best practices.
It lacked adequate systems to oversee its 22 operating and investment accounts – seven of which were balanced and reconciled only once a year at year-end close. This increases the risk of fraud or misappropriation of funds, according to the Colorado State University report.
The review also found that the foundation sometimes prepared and approved wire transfers and other payments, some from scholarship and trust accounts in amounts ranging from $2.2 million to $5.3 million, by the same people.
