By Charlotte Hsu

Published Thursday, April 10, 2008 | 10:18 a.m.

Updated Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | 2:14 p.m.

Nevada State College's president is a quiet guy — "low-key and caring," according to an evaluation presented last week to the Board of Regents that governs public higher education.

But the unassuming Fred Maryanski, who has led the college since 2005, is also tough, capable of making difficult decisions for his 5-year-old college as it grows and absorbs budget cuts, evaluators said.

That winning mix of qualities won Maryanski a three-year contract extension. His contract, set to end in June 2009, will now stretch until June 2012.

What Maryanski didn't get was a raise.

But that's not because his bosses were unhappy with his performance. Dan Klaich, executive vice chancellor for the Nevada System of Higher Education, said Maryanski's pay — without a raise — was competitive with those at other colleges.

The president earns about a quarter million dollars each year and, like other state employees, will continue to receive an annual cost of living increase to his salary. He also gets car and housing allowances totaling

$23,000 per year.

Maryanski said though he'd like more money, he understood that the System, like other state entities, has little to spare.

"There's no money right now," Maryanski said. "If we have to cut our budget or cancel positions or, worst case, have layoffs, it just isn't appropriate."