Regents director Donley had planned to resign for months

CEDAR FALLS - Outgoing Board of Regents Executive Director Robert Donley said Thursday he decided months ago to resign - citing a recent change in board leadership and family on the East Coast as factors.

But Donley, 57, also pointed out a salary cap of $154,3000 imposed by the Legislature for the position he's vacating is unusual and puts the job among the lowest-paid of its kind nationally.

'It is one of the only states that, by law, caps the salary of the executive director or chancellor,” he said.

When Donley was recruited to the job nine years ago, he said the cap was 'an issue.” He said it could become one again as the board searches for his replacement.

'The board is going to have to deal with that,” he said, suggesting the Legislature consider removing the ceiling.

The nine-member volunteer Board of Regents, which Donley has managed since 2008, unanimously agreed during its meeting Thursday to accept his resignation effective July 15.

The board plans to appoint an interim director. The board didn't do that yet but Mark Braun - who has been chief operating officer for the board since 2015 - took Donley's seat at the table at the meeting.

Donley said he doesn't know yet if he'll stay in higher education. Before coming to Iowa from Florida, he had been serving the State University System of Florida as chief of staff and operations for the Board of Governors and Chancellor Mark B. Rosenberg.

'I've had several offers from higher education firms,” he said. 'But I honestly want to take some time off.”

In spring 2015, Donley was among three finalists to lead the North Dakota University System, although in the end he was passed over. Donley currently is serving as chair for the national State Higher Education Officers Association and plans to complete his commitment, which runs through July 15.

When he first came to Iowa, Donley committed to two to three years and 'that would be it.”

'And I'm here nine years later,” Donley said, stressing, 'This was my decision. No one should read anything other than that into this. The timing was perfect.”

New regents President Mike Richards on Thursday praised Donley for his service, as did others.

During his tenure, Donley also has drawn criticism for regent-related controversies, including an ill-fated performance-based funding model and the controversial hire of former businessman Bruce Harreld as the University of Iowa president. Donley also is at the center of a lawsuit against the board accusing it - and Donley, specifically - of age and gender discrimination.

And he's taken heat for making more than his position's salary cap. In 2015, for instance, he made $338,466 when salary, bonuses and deferred compensation were taken into account.

In talking with reporters Thursday, Donley praised the board's willingness to provide those incentives in the past.

'I've been very fortunate, and that's probably why I stayed the nine years,” he said.