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Posted on Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.

Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin gets raise, two-year contract extension

By David Jesse

A two-year contract extension for Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin comes with a salary increase of nearly $25,000 and performance bonuses of up to $17,500.

The EMU Board of Regents approved the contract extension at its meeting this afternoon.

“You bleed green, and we are proud to have you as our president,” Regent Francine Parker said in making the motion to approve the extension.

Martin said she was pleased with the extension.

“I love Eastern and its students,” she said in a press release. “I consider it a great gift to serve this historic public university, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue to be invited to do that by the Board of Regents.”

Martin, who took over in 2008, was operating under a contract that ran out on July 7, 2011. The new contract expires July 7, 2013.

“President Martin has led Eastern and provided EMU with a stability unmatched during this decade,” Roy Wilbanks, chair of the board of regents, said in a press release. “It’s been a time of significant growth in terms of enrollment and facilities, all of which occurred despite a challenging economy. We as a board are pleased to extend her contract, a move that underscores the stability and vitality at Eastern Michigan during her tenure.”

The contract contains a series of financial incentives for Martin, 60.

susan-martin-12:16.JPG

EMU President Susan Martin

On Jan. 1, 2011, Martin’s salary will be increased by 2.5 percent to $292,125. On July 8, 2011, she’ll get another raise, this one 3 percent, to $300,889. Then on July 8, 2012, she’ll get another 3 percent raise, hiking her salary to $309,915.

The contract also calls for Martin to get a $7,500 bonus on July 8, 2011. At the end of the contract, she will be eligible for an additional $10,000 performance bonus, contingent on a review and authorization from the board at the time.

In addition, Martin will get $10,000 set aside to cover costs of her move from University House when her term is up, if the contract isn't extended again.

“The January 2011 salary increase places Martin’s pay in the middle of presidents at Michigan’s 15 public universities, behind the leaders of Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Oakland universities but ahead of smaller institutions such as Ferris State and Saginaw Valley State,” the university said in a press release. “She remains at the bottom of salary levels of presidents of universities in the Mid-American conference.”

Martin, took over the university in 2008. She became president after John Fallon was fired in July 2007 when investigations showed EMU violated a federal crime-reporting law by not alerting the campus community to a murder investigation after a student was found dead in her dorm room.

David Jesse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.

Comments

Jay Thomas

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 7:21 p.m.

According to the Obama administration there was no inflation this past year and retires will get no COLA. So why then is Martin getting a raise? I wouldn't give a raise to anyone at a school where most students don't graduate; it's little more than a jobs program for educators. "You bleed green, and we are proud to have you as our president, Regent Francine Parker said in making the motion to approve the extension." And now we are all "bleeding green"... taxpayers, students, the bankrupt federal loan program.

Arielle82

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 11:05 a.m.

As an EMU student I think that's great. Not raising tuition this year made it possible for me to go to grad school, I'm very grateful. Ms. Martin is always around campus trying to get involved with students which I think is cool. She still is making less than other university presidents and is the only school to have 0% increase? She is showing she is doing a great job and deserves to be rewarded.

stunhsif

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.

Private sector pay keeps going backwards, public sector pay keeps going forward. An 8.5% pay raise over the next three years, must be nice. EMU is doing just fine, pay raises for their prof's, their president plus a brand new 90 million dollar building.

David Jesse

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.

EMU spokesman Walter Kraft pointed out to me in an e-mail that Martin did not get a raise in her first two years as EMU.

Killroy

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 8:21 a.m.

More good news for EMU. Congrats to President Susan Martin! Well deserved!

dading dont delete me bro

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 6:48 a.m.

wow, and she's still has below average salary among michigan schools and other mac schools. still a lot of money for us students still scrapping by.

Cash

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 5:29 a.m.

This is as expected. EMU held all costs down last year and was the only Michigan institution to have a ZERO percent increase of their costs to students. Their reward? The Republican State Senate refused their request for funds to improve buildings and gave that money to Univ of Mich where tuition increases were passed on to students and Mary Sue got a nice raise. Therefore the message the State Senate gave to higher ed? Spend with no regard to students or taxpayers. That is what we will reward.

Hypnotique

Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 8:10 p.m.

So?

Ralph

Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 7:37 p.m.

I wonder. Could the interstate highway system be built today?

Somewhat Concerned

Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 6:33 p.m.

Sheriffs make concessions. City and county workers are asked to make concessions. EMU's president gets a nice raise. EMU - home of the striking faculty. No wonder there is backlash against spending for our universities.

Soothslayer

Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 5:44 p.m.

Guess no boot strapping needed here during tough Michigan economic times. Someone please evaluate EMU for privatization along with UM. Thanks.

CountyKate

Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 5:41 p.m.

Good job, EMU Regents. Martin is exactly what we need. Kudos for not letting he get away.