Topeka ? Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway’s annual pay was increased by 3 percent to $307,000.

The Board of Regents on Thursday approved salary increases for the state’s university leaders and regents board president Reggie Robinson.

Hemenway, the highest paid of the top officials, receives $240,884 from state coffers with the balance coming from private funds. State contributions to his salary increased from $231,619 last year.

The chancellor said it was a pleasure to hold the post and work with the Board of Regents, but he declined to elaborate about pay.

“I never talk about my salary,” he said.

The Board of Regents limits how much institution leaders can earn in salary and private endowment support. Hemenway earns the maximum allowed.

In calculating pay, the Regents reviewed salaries at peer institutions, past increases, and pay increases given to faculty and staff at each institution.

Regent Dick Bond said the chief executive officer increases “for the most part mirrored what was given to faculty at these institutions.”

At KU, the pool of funds for merit increases was boosted by 4.5 percent for unclassified staff and 5.5 percent for faculty. There were no flat across-the-board increases for individuals covered by the pool. The total percent increase for classified staff was about 4.5 percent.

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Bond said the state was getting a bargain from its university leaders.

“The shock is going to come down the road as these CEOs who have long tenure begin to retire,” he said. “The dollars we’re paying now will have to be greatly increased to find replacements.”

The Board of Regents released information about the state-supported portion of salaries for all university leaders. They were: Kansas State University President Jon Wefald, $230,345; Wichita State University President Don Beggs, $201,618; Fort Hays State University President Edward Hammond, $175,000; Emporia State University President Kay Schallenkamp, $166,000; Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant, $164,000.

Robinson earns $151,000.

Hemenway also participates in the Regents retirement program, which requires he contribute 5.5 percent of his annual salary. That is matched with 8.5 percent up to IRS limits.

His house on Lilac Lane is provided by the university. His 2005 Chrysler 300 Limited is also provided for business use. And he has a country club membership for university business.

He doesn’t receive any performance bonuses. Information about Hemenway’s expense account was unavailable Thursday.