Friday, Aug. 16, 2002 | 11:23 a.m.
RENO -- Kerry Romesburg was named Thursday to head the Nevada State College at Henderson, making him the third person in one year to lead the institution that is scheduled to open Sept. 3.
Romesburg will begin his presidency without a unanimous vote from the Board of Regents, which voted 8-2 to appoint him during a meeting at Truckee Meadows Community College.
The vote came after debate over the $195,000 salary that will be paid to Romesburg, the president of Utah Valley State College. Regents Steve Sisolak and Howard Rosenberg cast the dissenting votes. Regent Linda Howard was absent.
On top of Romesburg's base salary, he will also receive a $15,000 housing allowance, plus auto and host payments during his three-year contract. University presidents get $18,000 and community college president receive $12,000 as housing allowances.
Romesburg's selection as president was praised, but some regents complained about his salary.
Sisolak said it was too high. He called Romesburg a "tremendous individual." But he said "I can't support a salary of that magnitude."
Regent Doug Hill of Reno called it a "foolish debate."
"We have to pay what the market is," Hill said. "Welcome to the real world."
Regent Jill Derby also defended the salary, saying, "You want to get the right person" for the job.
Romesburg said today that his salary was justified compared to what other state college presidents across the nation make.
"I think Nevada has some historically low salaries in its higher education system," Romesburg said. "I think that they are paying a fair salary and it is less than I am making here."
Romesburg is paid $145,000 a year by the state of Utah, but his total salary package, which includes a house, car and club membership, adds up to $223,000.
Discussion of Romesburg's salary comes amid an announcement from Gov. Kenny Guinn that state agencies need to cut 3 percent their budgets.
Romesburg said the cuts worry him because he just finished a similar battle for state dollars in Utah.
"How could it not be (worrisome)," Romesburg said. "With a brand new institution, we are going to have a very difficult time in maintaining the quality and integrity of the institution while increasing access to students at a time of fiscal austerity."
Romesburg noted that when he arrives on the job on Sept. 16, "There is still that little $10 million problem (of raising construction money) to deal with."
The board also approved a contract for Marilyn Johnson, who will be vice president for development and alumni relations at the University of Nevada, Reno. Johnson will be paid $185,000.
Sisolak said Johnson is "extremely qualified" but he added he was "deeply troubled" that she will be receiving more than many of the other vice presidents who have been in the system for years.
He said that was $30,000 higher than a comparable position at UNLV. He said it was "grossly unfair" to the other administrators, especially in these tough economic times
Rosenberg joined Sisolak in complaining about the salary. He said he may have to turn away 1,400 students in the spring semester.
But Derby said it's up to the presidents of the campuses to set these salaries.
"To tell the presidents they can't have the person is shortsighted," Derby said.
Regent Dorothy Gallagher of Elko said the schools have to pay what the market demands. She said Johnson has the ability to raise a great deal of money for the university in her new job.
UNLV President Carol Harter was asked about the salary for the vice president and how it would affect her campus, but she said it was a decision for the regents and UNR President John Lilley.
The board approved a merit raise of $2,600 for Dan Miles, vice chancellor for finance, to bring his base pay to $137,860. It raised the salary of its executive administrator Suzanne Ernst $4,000 to $113,782.
A decision on boosting the salaries of campus presidents was taken off the agenda and will be considered at a later meeting.
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