MSU board upgrades president's contract

Missouri State University President Clif Smart's contract has been upgraded as part of a board evaluation.

The MSU Board of Governors completed its evaluation on Aug. 5 at its regular meeting. According to a news release, Smart performed well in all evaluated areas, including strategic and educational leadership, organizational and financial management, and external and internal relations.

“We had a very successful year, achieving record capital funding and appropriations at both the state and federal levels, obtained recognition as a doctoral-granting institution and broke our private fundraising record for the third straight year,” Smart said in the release. “I appreciate the board’s recognition of that work, which occurred during the pandemic.”

Smart, whose contract continues through June 30, 2026, is scheduled to receive a 4% raise, in line with increases given to all full-time employees. That brings his base salary up to $407,056.

At the end of the year, Smart will get a $25,000 retention bonus, according to the release. Full-time employees are scheduled to receive a retention bonus of $1,000 at that time.

Smart is slated to earn a $50,000 cash retention bonus on June 30, 2023, as agreed upon in an earlier contract adjustment. The board also is increasing his annual cash retention bonus to $75,000 starting June 30, 2024.

“As the pandemic continued for a second year, President Smart moved the university forward, attaining significant funding and strategically guiding the university to a position of strength,” board Chair Carol Silvey said in the release.