ROME -- Stefano Bronzini, the rector of the University of Bari, has decided to increase his salary, following in the footsteps of the rectors of Bari Polytechnic, Francesco Cupertino, and the University of Lecce, Fabio Pollice. Unlike his counterparts, Bronzini is only taking a 128% raise, compared to 400%, resulting in a total salary of 160,000 euros per year. 

  The raise was agreed following a board meeting on 29 April, when the request was submitted to the Ministry of Economy at the end of the university’s internal procedure. The possibility for a pay rise was legitimised by the Dpcm 143 from 2022 which was promulgated by the Draghi government. 

  “All the heads of the Italian universities should protect themselves with insurance that is able to cover the costs of liability.” Bronzini explained, defending his request, “The adjustment to the raise is linked to a note from the Mur that we have put in place. We now await responses from the Mef. This is not automatic: when this process ends we will have to decide. Maybe it will all apply from 1 October 2025, when my six-year term will be over.”

“It is a clause in the ministerial note. The request for its application does not mean that it will be implemented.” 

lw