MSU extends president’s contract, increases salary

The extension adds a year to Nietzel’s contract. It also stipulates a 4 percent salary increase for 2007-2008, raising his pay to $257,088 from $247,200 effective July 1, according to an MSU news release. Four percent is the same merit pay increase available to faculty and staff.

Also under the new contract, Nietzel will receive a $200,000 retention bonus if he stays through June 30, 2009; the contract previously listed this payment at $100,000. He will be eligible for an additional $50,000 per year for another three years, through 2012, if he stays as president.

Other elements of the contract remain the same, including Nietzel’s housing allowance, automobile usage and entertainment expenses.

Board members said they were in favor of the contract extension because of Nietzel’s work with government leaders, relationship-building skills, communication and budget-management abilities, and the way he has addressed difficult situations at MSU in the last year, according to the release.

Nietzel became president July 1, 2005, having previously served as provost and psychology professor at the University of Kentucky.