Four Georgia college presidents will receive more money next year and one stands to receive a multi-million dollar payout, while faculty will go another year without raises and students will pay more in tuition.
University of Georgia President Michael Adams will receive about $2 million over five years after he steps down as president in June 2013, under action the state Board of Regents took Wednesday. In addition to that payout, he will receive next year a one-time deferred compensation payment of $600,000. That means his total pay next year -- his last as president -- will be about $1.2 million.
Meanwhile, the deferred compensation for Georgia Tech President Bud Peterson will increase by $166,666, bringing his total pay to $756,666. For Peterson to receive the additional money he must stay with the school through at least June 30, 2018.
Kennesaw State University President Dan Papp will see his total compensation package increase by $50,523 to $370,000.
The regents also raised the salaries for Gary McGaha, president of Atlanta Metropolitan College, and David Bridges, president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, by about $25,000 to $198,000.
Taxpayers will pay the salary increases at Atlanta Metro and Abraham Baldwin. Private college foundations will pay the increases at KSU and Georgia Tech, Regents Chairman Ben Tarbutton said. The increases are effective July 1.
Tarbutton said the pay bumps acknowledge the presidents' success and put their salaries on par with leaders at similar colleges.
"We don't want to lose them," he said.
The package for Adams rewards his accomplishments at UGA and the success he’s expected to have this coming year, Tarbutton said.
"It also sends a message nationally that we value higher education in Georgia," Tarbutton said, adding it should help the system attract a strong pool of candidates as it searches to replace Adams.
Adams, who has led UGA for nearly 16 years, plans to join the faculty. He will earn $660,318 a year during his first two years teaching and then $258,670 the following three years. On average, full-time UGA faculty earn between $52,500 and $107,800 a year, according to the American Association of University Professors.
The first two years of Adams' package is a mix of taxpayer and foundation funding. The three years after that is taxpayer money.
Sofia Lipko, a member of the activist group Georgia Students for Public Higher Education, described the regents' actions as "ridiculous." She noted that students will pay between 2.5 percent and 6 percent more in tuition next year, while dealing with larger class sizes and fewer course sections to choose from.
"I think 'shameful' doesn't even fit anymore," Lipko said.
Clara Green, another member of the group, questioned the regents' priorities.
"These actions show again that the Board of Regents is not interested in the education or quality of life of students or workers, but instead are fixated on making sure a handful of administrators receive another million dollars in their paycheck," Green said.
Tarbutton said he understands the frustration some may have, but he stressed the increases were "isolated and targeted."
Eran Mordel, president of Tech's undergraduate student government association, expected students would support Peterson's new salary since tuition money isn't being used to pay for it.
"He's highly regarded and we love having him here," Mordel said. "We want to keep him here."
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