Four new presidents recently took the helms of the largest public universities in Ohio. The Kent Stater analyzed the fine print in their contracts and compared the benefits each received.

Kent State University

Beverly Warren

Salary: $450,000

Bonuses: Annually up to $75,000

Term:July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2017

Job description: The president will serve as chief executive officer of the university under the policies, rules, supervision and direction of the Board and its Executive Officers. The president will faithfully serve the university and devote her time to the improvement of Kent State, including the needs of all eight campuses.

Car: Chevy Equinox

House:Warren lives in the official presidential home, which was built by former President Lester Lefton after beginning his term. The house is a leased, four-bedroom home in Kent. It is 4,200 square feet inside, according to the county. Kent State has been leasing the house since April 1, 2013 for $56,000 annually. The lease is scheduled to end March 31, 2033, according to archive.org.

Relocation expenses: University pays/reimburses all relocation expenses

Benefits:

• Health, dental, medical insurance, Life insurance of $900,000, disability insurance: No less than 65 percent of her initial salary for a period of five years following the date of disability or until age 70 (whichever comes first)

• Vacation: 30-day paid vacation annually

• Club membership: Warren receives club membership to any two clubs of her choice. She has yet to choose which, but she is in the process of searching.

• Tuition remission: Same benefits as provided to other regular, full-time unclassified employees

• Car: Monthly automobile allowance of $1,500

• Retirement: Multiple options, including State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) or Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP).

Faculty status: Warren has faculty status, full-time tenure professor, in the College of Education, Health and Human Services. She is not doing any research currently.

Youngstown State University

Jim Tressel

Salary: $300,000

Bonuses: Based on performance

Term: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2017

Job description: The president will serve as chief executive officer of the university under the policies, rules, supervision and direction of the Board and its Executive Officers.

Car: 2013 Chrysler 300

House: The president will live in the Pollock House. The 17,000-square-foot home was built in 1893 and was gifted to the university, then Youngstown College, by the Pollock family in 1950. The university pays real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, including cable TV and internet, groundskeeping, housekeeping and maintenance. 

Relocation expenses: The university will reimburse the president for relocation expenses based on the lowest of three cost estimates of relocation of personal property.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, medical, disability insurance

• Vacation: 22-day paid vacation per fiscal year

• Club membership: Club membership to one local country club and one civic club of his choice

• Tuition remission: None

• Car: All expenses covered by the university

• Retirement: Multiple options, including State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) or Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP).

Faculty status: Tressel has tenure and professor status in Teacher Education.

The Ohio State University

Michael Drake

Salary: $800,000

Bonuses: Annually up to $200,000

Term: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2019

Job Description: Drake will serve as chief academic and business executive for Ohio State University and work with the Board of Trustees.

Car: Would not disclose for security reasons

House: The president is required to live in the university home located at North Drexel Avenue in Bexley. The house was donated to the university by Ron and Ann Pizzuti in exchange for the previous presidential house, according to the Ohio State University website. The Bexley House is approximately 8,900 square feet, and has been used for university events.

Relocation expenses: The university will refund “reasonable” moving expenses.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, medical, disability insurance

• Vacation: Yes

• Club membership: Full-family, non-golf club membership

• Tuition remission: Not listed

• Car: Automobile stipend of $1,200 per month

• Retirement: Not listed

Faculty status: President Drake is a full professor in the College of Medicine and the College of Education and Human Ecology. He is currently focusing on his responsibilities as president. But, he is also an ophthalmologist, and is researching glaucoma.

University of Akron

Scott Scarborough

Salary: $450,000

Bonuses: Up to $80,000 annually

Term: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2019

Job description: The president will serve as chief executive officer of the university under the policies, rules, supervision and direction of the Board and its Executive Officers.

Car: 2007 BMW SUV

House: 465 Burning Tree Drive in Akron, Ohio. The house is in renovation, so he has not moved in.

Relocation expenses: The university will reimburse the president no more than $15,000 for moving and relocation expenses. 

Benefits:

• Reimbursed annually up to $2,500 for any health-related services or equipment

• Dental/medical, disability and life insurance

• Vacation: 22-day paid vacation annually

• Club membership: Full-family membership to Portage Country Club and Union Club.

• Tuition remission: Any natural or adopted children receive full tuition to any of the 13 four-year public universities in Ohio.

• Car: Automobile stipend of $1,500 per month

• Retirement: President chooses between benefits under the Ohio public retirement system or Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)

Faculty status: Faculty status as professor in the College of Business.

Contact Marissa Barnhart at [email protected].