Ross contract extension, evaluation delayed
Trustees say contract 'modernization' needed to stay competitive
Trustees delayed evaluating Central Michigan University President George Ross by a week so they could discuss a more appropriate way to evaluate and compensate him.
Ross is one of four finalists to become the next president at the University of Nebraska.
Board chair William Kanine said trustees needed the extra time to “modernize” his contract to make it more “competitive.” Kanine said trustees want to find a way to match Ross’ contract and salary to his accomplishments over the last five years.
“We want to be very serious about his future here at this university,” Kanine said. “Looking at that five-year contract that’s out there is not representative of what people with his talent and his abilities are getting at other universities. We have to do our due diligence and study to bring to him something that is appropriate for what he’s done at Central Michigan University.”
The president visited Nebraska in late November for a campus tour, a formal interview and a forum with students, faculty and staff.
Ross is paid an annual salary of $371,000. His salary is comparative to Western Michigan University President John Dunn who makes $382,776 per year, and is also responsible for a medical school. Nebraska President James Milliken was paid $431,276 before leaving that job in May.
Trustees asked to use the week to review Ross’ evaluation process. Last year, Ross gave trustees a self-evaluation as required in his five-year contract which ends in 2015. Kanine said it would be unfair to judge Ross on a rubric that the board hasn’t updated since the beginning of his tenure.
Trustees took turns extolling Ross’ accomplishments since 2010, many of which, they said, came to fruition within the past year.
“There is a strong energy on campus now,” said Vice Chair Sarah Opperman. “You can feel it when you walk around. Not only do we need you to stay, we want you to stay. We still have more work to do.”
Ross deferred the praise to the strength of his cabinet and his team.
“I do have the ultimate responsibility of the whole campus and everything that goes on (in) it, but I have a strong team around me. You don’t move the university forward by yourself,” he said.
When asked how he measures up to the other candidates at Nebraska, Ross compared the pursuit to spending a day on the golf course.
“I approach this like I approach my golf game,” he said. “I don’t play against other people; I play against the course. They’re interviewing George Ross. You’re not there to compete with the other candidates. It’s about my qualifications. When you get to this stage in the process, it’s about fit. I would assume that the regents in Nebraska saw all four candidates and saw potential presidents.”
