There are more than 10 interim administrators at Central Michigan University, including interim University President Kathy Wilbur and interim Provost Gary Shapiro, all making less than the permanent before them.

The individual difference stays within the department each administrator works in and the extra money is being used for a couple of things.

Differences in salaries of past permanents and current interim heads • University President Michael Rao $293,550 — Interim Kathy Wilbur $230,000 • Former Provost Julia Wallace $200,000 — Interim Gary Shapiro $197,000 • Former Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Mike Leto $166,011 — Interim Ted Tolcher $132,884 • Former Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Karen Adams $153,024 — Interim Kathy Koch $130,692 • Former Dean of College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences Gary Shapiro $156, 260 — Interim Pamela Gates $146,004 • Former Dean of College of Business Administration Michael Fields $198,558 — Interim Dan Vetter $145,664 • Former Associate Dean of College of Education and Human Services Kathy Koch $127,200 — Interim Ray Francis $102,000 • Former Associate Dean of College of Communication and Fine Arts Diane Krider $119,507 — Interim Al Wildey $104,310 • Former Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Catherine Riordan $144,065 — Interim Claudia Douglas $134,000 • Former Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs Kathy Wilbur $159,626 — Interim Toby Roth $123,995

“The money stays within the account their base salary comes from. A lot of times, looking to fill a new position takes a lot of advertising, which doesn’t have a lot of money budgeted in — the money can be used for that,” said Carol Haas, director of Financial Planning and Budgets. “Or they could hire more faculty — it is in their discretion to how they use the money.”

The cost of advertising depends on various factors, such as the length of the ad and where the ad is placed, said Cali Clark, director of employment and compensation in human resources.

Interim employees fill vacant positions while a search for a permanent is under way.

“When a position is too crucial to be left vacant, an interim is brought in, and in the mean time a permanent is searched for,” Haas said. “As positions are filled the salary that is set for the new permanent employee depends on their education and experience. It just depends on the individual hired.”

Interims makes less because usually, they either do not perform all of the tasks the permanent did, or they do not possess all of the qualifications needed — they have worked for less time and have less experience, she said.

“Salaries are set based on the qualifications on the individual and the market for the position. Consideration is given to salaries of current employees with similar duties, responsibilities and background,” Clark said.

The same system applies for when permanent employees are brought in to take the place of interims.

Depending on the department’s use of the savings, having interims working for the university can be helpful in terms of the monetary benefits.

“It just depends on what additional costs they will incur. It is possible there could be savings to be used for other things,” Haas said.

The College of Communication and Fine Arts has Al Wildey as interim associate dean, but there is not any extra money left over from the interim position.

“There is no benefit because any difference at this point is offset by other expenses for the college,” said Salma Ghanem, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.