Eight of the 13 presidents of state-owned universities who are eligible for salary increases this year will get 6 to 11 percent raises despite a worsening economy and the likelihood of campus budget cuts.

The State System of Higher Education said the raises awarded for 2008-09 are aimed at recognizing performance and bringing the pay of some of those presidents closer to what their peers earn nationwide. State System Board of Governors Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin called the raises justified, saying the schools have kept tuition increases at or below inflation the last four years while managing record enrollment.

"We count every dollar carefully," he said yesterday. "We're confident it will not impact our ability to keep tuition increases low."

The recipient of the biggest percentage raise was Mansfield University of Pennsylvania President Maravene Loeschke, whose salary was upped by roughly 11 percent, to $189,195, this year. The raise includes an $8,547 merit increase and a $9,708 "market adjustment" to bring her pay closer to what peers on comparable campuses around the country make, State System officials said.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania President Joseph Grunenwald received the second-largest increase at nearly 10 percent, bringing his salary to $202,469. It includes a merit raise of $9,236 and a market adjustment of $8,516.

Third-highest was Millersville University's Francine McNairy, who is getting a 7 percent raise, bringing her salary to $211,610. That includes a $12,811 merit increase and a market adjustment of $1,712.

The largest earner overall among the 14 State System presidents is Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Tony Atwater at $253,428. He received a 6 percent merit raise.

Angelo Armenti, president of California University of Pennsylvania, is the second-biggest earner at $220,670. He received a 6 percent merit increase.

The presidents of East Stroudsburg, Slippery Rock and Edinboro universities also got raises of 6 percent or more.

The smallest percentage increase, 2 percent, was awarded to Cheyney University of Pennsylvania President Michelle Howard-Vital, bringing her salary to $193,800. The next-lowest increase went to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania President David Soltz, who is getting a 3 percent merit raise, bringing his salary to $195,700.

Linda Lamwers was named interim president of West Chester University of Pennsylvania in July and was not eligible for a raise. Her salary is $200,000.

Mr. Jarin said the board could not ignore the fact that State System presidents were in the bottom 30 percent of salaries earned by leaders of comprehensive public university systems. He said there was unanimous support for the raises, though members knew the size of the increases might be sensitive in a tight budget year.

"The board understood that, but we also understood what the reality is," he said. "The reality is we are living within our budget and what's paramount is having the ability to keep the highly qualified people we have and that we be competitive in attracting people."

Even with the raises, the presidents remain below the average earned by their peers, according to an annual report by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, State System spokesman Kenn Marshall said.

Still, the raises might upset some across the system of nearly 113,000 students that is facing a range of financial pressures. Earlier this fall, Gov. Ed Rendell effectively asked the universities to freeze 4.25 percent of their current-year appropriation so it can be returned to the state if Pennsylvania's sagging economy does not improve by June.

"I think there definitely will be concern, especially with tuition going up and with the freeze," said Stephanie Desmond, a Clarion University senior and an editor with the student newspaper, The Clarion Call. "We're dealing with some uncertainty as to how all this is going to affect us financially."

In a statement, Steve Hicks, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, appeared to support the raises. He also said the faculty union will want the same.

"While the timing of [the] move to increase presidential compensation is sure to raise some concern, the percentage amount of merit increases given [2 percent to 6.5 percent] is not particularly out of line with national averages," he said.

"Since [State System] institutions have incurred many recent problems when trying to attract and retain high quality faculty because of superior offers made by peer institutions, APSCUF will pursue similar salary increases and market adjustments in future contract talks," he said.