University of Iowa to pay $145,000 for part-time fill in for vice president of strategic communication

IOWA CITY - The University of Iowa has agreed to pay an Atlanta-based consultant $145,000 over the next six months to help guide the Office of Strategic Communication as the institution transitions to a new president, on a part time basis.

The agreement with Terri Goren of Goren and Associates, signed July 2, comes as the university's Vice President for Strategic Communication Joe Brennan prepares to leave Aug. 3 for a similar role with the University of Albany in New York.

Goren's contract began July 1 and runs through Dec. 31. She will be paid $20,000 a month - plus a $25,000 cap on flight, meals and other reimbursements - for working three days a week, or 12 full days a month.

Based on the $145,000 total and her part-time schedule, Goren will be making about $2,013 a day or about $251 an hour - based on an eight-hour workday.

Brennan announced plans to leave in June. He arrived on campus in August 2013 to lead the UI communications staff and oversee messaging from the institution and its 11 colleges.

Earning a salary of $226,600 - plus more than $21,200 in travel expenses - Brennan oversees about 50 employees between the Office of Strategic Communication and Hancher, the university's performing arts center. Goren, in her temporary role, will oversee those employees and develop a 'communications transition plan” for incoming interim UI President Jean Robillard.

Robillard, vice president of medical affairs for UI Health Care, will take over for UI President Sally Mason on Aug. 1. According to the university's contract with Goren, a communications plan must outline messages by audience and channel and address other communication components during Robillard's tenure.

She also must manage issues and potential crises that arise, while keeping Robillard and other officials apprised; help on special projects; ensure management of the communications and marketing budget; and develop a comprehensive communications plan for the new president.

'The ultimate goal is to provide short-term leadership support to the Office of Strategic Communication to ensure its optimal functioning during this transition period,” according to the contract.

During her interim service with UI,Goren will split time between Iowa City and Atlanta, according to UI spokeswoman Jeneane Beck. She also must be on call for all communications emergencies.

'Additional time based upon mutual agreement will be billed at the consultant's rate of $250 an hour,” according to the contract.

Goren first worked with Robillard and the UIHC on its communications strategy in 2007, and she has provided frequent consulting work for the institution since.

'She has a long history with the university and will provide valuable expertise during the interim,” Beck said.

The university will wait until a new president is chosen to fill any vacant vice president positions on a permanent basis, according to Beck.

The state Board of Regents is conducting a nationwide search for the institution's next leader, and board President Bruce Rastetter has said the goal is to announce its selection in September and have that person on the job by early 2016.