This article reports that the nation's highest-compensated college chief is David J. Sargent, Suffolk University's veteran president, according to The Chronicle's latest survey of executive pay. Mr. Sargent's total compensation of $2,800,461 in 2006-2007 topped that of 784 presidents of public and private universities, as well as of 64 community colleges. Officials at Suffolk say the figures, which are the most recent available, include $436,000 in base pay and a $436,000 longevity bonus. His benefits included a $1,190,000 deferred sabbatical bonus, $555,667 in deferred compensation, a performance bonus of $87,200, and $56,262 in health, dental, and other retirement benefits. Two other large numbers help put Mr. Sargent's compensation in context, however. Mr. Sargent, who is 77, has been an employee at the university for 52 years, including two decades as president. His compensation is largely consistent with that of a long-serving private college president's severance pay at retirement. In this case, Mr. Sargent remains on the job.