The University of Hawaii is disputing a survey that concludes Evan Dobelle is the fourth-highest-paid public university president in the nation. UH says Dobelle isn’t
4th-highest paid
public university headBy Greg Small
Associated Press
A Chronicle of Higher Education survey released today says Dobelle, who became president of the 10-campus system in July 2001, is set to get a $1.1 million bonus -- on top of his previously reported $442,000 annual salary -- if he completes his seven-year contract.
The Chronicle, in its Aug. 30 edition, said that would give Dobelle total annual compensation of $599,500 a year.
"They are getting this screwed up," Paul Costello, the university's vice president for external affairs, said yesterday.
Costello provided a copy of Dobelle's contract, which includes an "incentive fund." It calls for him to be paid added money if he is terminated without cause or if he is not offered an additional minimum term of three years at the end of seven.
If either of those conditions is not met, Dobelle would not receive any money over and above his salary, Costello said.
The university pays $150,000 into the incentive fund every year, with annual interest of 5 percent, the contract says.
If Dobelle resigns, is terminated for cause or accepts or rejects an additional term, he would receive no money from the fund, which would total over $1 million plus interest at the end of his contract.
Dobelle's annual salary of $442,000 drops him below the 10th president in the Chronicle's survey of 131 chief executives of state research universities and public college systems, David R. Smith of Texas Tech University, who the survey says receives $450,000 a year.
University of Texas President Mark Yudof topped the survey at $787,319 annually, followed by University of Tennessee's John Shumaker ($733,550) and University of Michigan's Mary Sue Coleman ($677,500).
Unlike many other university presidents, all of Dobelle's salary comes from state funds. About a third of the presidents included in the survey received supplemental compensation, which sometimes far exceeds their state salaries, from private sources, the Chronicle said.
Dobelle succeeded Kenneth Mortimer, who made $167,000. Mortimer also served as chancellor of the Manoa campus, but that position was separated from the university president when Dobelle arrived.
Peter Englert, who became chancellor Aug. 1, is paid $254,000 a year.
University of Hawaii
