Special to the Chronicle

The new University of South Carolina president may be paid more than a $650,000 salary.

That’s what was reported after Gen. Robert Caslen was hired to run the state’s biggest university.

Caslen is a retired US Army lieutenant general and former West Point military academy president.

What was not disclosed was how much Caslen may be paid from other sources including the university’s non-profit foundation.

Will Caslen receive a percentage of the money he raises for the foundation?

He succeeds retiring President Harris Pastides whose total annual compensation was nearly $1.15 million.

Pastides’ pay rose more than $464,000, nearly 68%, since 2014, according to his Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) filed with the State Ethics Commission.

The Chronicle of Higher Education listed his executive pay at $1,046,899.

University spokesman Jeff Stensland couldn’t say if the university will retain Pas-tides as a paid consultant.

Clemson University President James Clements reported pay at $970,396 but the Chronicle of Higher Education lists $1,016,773.

Most of Clements’ and Pastides’ pay comes from well-funded, nonprofit university foundations.

Clemson’s foundation income jumped by about 25.6% and Carolina’s 103.5% since 2014.

In the last 10 years, instate, undergraduate tuition increased about 35% at Clemson and 38% at Carolina, Commission on Higher Education records show.

Pastides’ foundation income was $823,946 in addition to $325,031 in salary.

Clements’ foundation paid him $627,317, on top of his $312,530 salary and $30,549 in taxable benefits.

Brundrett is the news editor of The Nerve. Contact him at 803-254-4411 or rick@the-nerve.org .