CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state's Higher Education Policy Commission today approved a $42,220 raise for Marshall University President Stephen Kopp.

At a brief meeting by conference call, commissioners voted 7-2 to bring Kopp's annual base salary to $275,000. His five-year contract also will allow for a $50,000 annual bonus from the Marshall University Foundation, if funds allow.

Marshall's Board of Governors approved a version of the contract in November. The HEPC discussed the compensation package in a closed executive session that month, but took no action.  

Today, commissioners Bob Brown and John Estep voted against the package, saying they couldn't support it because classified staff at Marshall are the lowest paid of all public institutions in the state. Brown works for the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association. Estep is a representative of the American Federation of Teachers.

The contract proposed by Marshall's BOG included a deferred compensation plan to be paid by foundation funds. But commissioner David Hendrickson said some commissioners felt the Marshall board did not provide enough details on the plan. Under the resolution passed today, the HEPC will not vote on any deferred compensation for Kopp until they get more information. 

For more details, see Thursday's Gazette.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state's Higher Education Policy Commission today approved a $42,220 raise for Marshall University President Stephen Kopp.

At a brief meeting by conference call, commissioners voted 7-2 to bring Kopp's annual base salary to $275,000. His five-year contract also will allow for a $50,000 annual bonus from the Marshall University Foundation, if funds allow.

Marshall's Board of Governors approved a version of the contract in November. The HEPC discussed the compensation package in a closed executive session that month, but took no action.  

Today, commissioners Bob Brown and John Estep voted against the package, saying they couldn't support it because classified staff at Marshall are the lowest paid of all public institutions in the state. Brown works for the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association. Estep is a representative of the American Federation of Teachers.

The contract proposed by Marshall's BOG included a deferred compensation plan to be paid by foundation funds. But commissioner David Hendrickson said some commissioners felt the Marshall board did not provide enough details on the plan. Under the resolution passed today, the HEPC will not vote on any deferred compensation for Kopp until they get more information. 

For more details, see Thursday's Gazette.