GOP lawmakers want university presidents’ bonuses canceled

Several Republican lawmakers are questioning why potential bonuses are still on the table for Iowa's regent university presidents during such a tough budget year.

Three Republicans on Monday said the performance bonuses should not remain an option for University of Iowa President Sally Mason, Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy and University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen, given the economic times and the potential for tuition increases.

The discussion of the bonuses - which the state Board of Regents will not decide on until next summer, at the end of fiscal 2010 - along with the creation last year of a chief of staff position at the UI “indicates that our regents universities are completely out of touch with the very taxpayers who fund them,” Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said in a statement.

Regents President David Miles of West Des Moines had no comment.

Mason, Geoffroy and Allen agreed to forgo performance bonuses for fiscal 2009, which ended June 30, and skip salary increases for the current year. But performance bonuses at the end of this year are possible, Miles has said. Mason is eligible to earn up to $80,000 as a bonus, Geoffroy up to $50,000 and Allen up to $25,000.

Regent Bob Downer, an Iowa City attorney, said if the economy does not markedly improve, it's likely the bonuses won't go forward anyway. But it's good to have them as an option to reward the presidents if the financial picture does brighten, he said.

“We're leaving this open until we can ascertain that,” he said. “We just don't know.”

Kaufmann was joined by Rep. Chris Hagenow, R-Windsor Heights, and Rep. Annette Sweeney, R-Alden, in the statement.

Sweeney also questioned whether tuition increases are needed. The regents will hear 2010-2011 tuition recommendations in October. Regent Craig Lang of Brooklyn said at the September board meeting he thinks tuition increases next year must be higher than inflation, perhaps 5 or 6 percent, so quality can be maintained despite budget cuts at the three universities.