Alumni ties keep presidents on school payroll

KENT (AP) -- Rather than cut ties completely, Kent State University -- like other universities these days -- opted to keep former president Carol Cartwright on the payroll after she retired.
"She knows everybody," said Doug Cowan, chairman of the board of the school that has 24,000 students at its main campus and 36,000 students overall. "She's been responsible for most of the private support we've gained over the last 15 years."
Lester Lefton took over for Cartwright on July 1. He makes a base salary of $350,000. Keeping both on the payroll will cost the school $620,000.
Cartwright, working from home, is receiving a $270,000 base salary she earned in her last year as president, is eligible for all employee benefits and has use of her Kent State car until its lease expires in November.
There is no formal job description for Cartwright as president emeritus, but part of her responsibility will be to help Lefton with his new job, Cowan said. Lefton had been provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Tulane.
Although many university presidents are eager to take on a lighter load, more universities are retaining them in retirement because they have unique value to an institution, said Tim McDonough, spokesman for the American Council on Education.
"They're already popular with key alumni and donors," he said. "They can open doors for the university, so it makes a lot of sense."
Two other Ohio universities have similar arrangements with retired presidents.
At Miami University, retired President James Garland stayed on to raise money when David Hodge took over July 1.
At Ohio University, President Emeritus Robert Glidden signed a three-year contract to shoulder fundraising for his successor, Roderick McDavis.