Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is set Friday to vote on confirmation of Dr. Jeffrey Gold as NU’s ninth president, effective July 1.
Under an updated agenda item with “key contractual terms,” Gold would enter an initial five-year contract at a base salary of $1,062,573 — a boost of about $31,000 of Gold’s current salary. Gold would also be eligible for up to 15% of his base salary (nearly $160,000) and include other benefits such as vacation, disability leave, retirement contribution and health insurance.
Former NU President Ted Carter’s base salary when he started Jan. 1, 2020, was $962,000.
Regent Rob Schafer of Beatrice, board chair, is sponsoring the Friday vote to appoint Gold and said Thursday he’s confident Gold will be NU’s next president.
“Just looking forward to getting Chancellor Gold confirmed as our next president and moving onward and upward,” Schafer told the Nebraska Examiner.
At least five of the eight elected regents will need to vote in favor of Gold; one month ago, they unanimously selected Gold as NU’s priority candidate for president.
The proposed contract terms, which would be finalized at a future board meeting, also include:
- A deferred compensation package for Gold at 11.5% of his base salary (just over $122,196).
- An official residence paid for with support from the NU Foundation.
- Up to $20,000 in moving or transition expenses.
- Membership at a country club of Gold’s choosing as approved and paid by the NU Foundation.
- Reasonable travel expenses for Gold’s wife, Robin, to participate in selected NU events, also paid by the NU Foundation or other non-state funds.
Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha voted against Carter’s appointment in 2019 because of his salary. Last month she said she firmly believes that Gold, as an experienced leader in education, “is poised to help us take advantage of these opportunities and to build a university of Nebraska’s future.”
O’Connor was not immediately available for a request for comment