Indiana State Board extends president’s contract

March 08--TERRE HAUTE -- Indiana State University has signed up Dan Bradley, the school's president, for an additional three years of service.

In a meeting Friday afternoon, the ISU board of trustees unanimously approved a new contract for Bradley, which, when added to his current contract, extends his service through June of 2019.

The contract sets Bradley's base salary at $290,755 effective July 1 of this year.

"I'm excited with the support expressed by the board and the campus community," Bradley said shortly after the board's vote. "Clearly, there is plenty of work to do and I am happy that I'm considered worthy to engage in it."

Erin Sluyter, student representative on the board of trustees, said the student body government unanimously endorsed Bradley when consulted about the new contract.

"Dr. Bradley and [wife] Cheri are two of the most beloved Sycamore family members," Sluyter said after the short Friday afternoon meeting. "They are our No. 1 fans. They really want to see our success."

This is Bradley's second contract renewal since he arrived in Terre Haute in 2008. He is ISU's 11th president.

Speaking of his future goals, Bradley said those remain unchanged and consistent with the university's strategic plan: Growing student enrollment and continued student success.

Under his contract, Bradley's future pay raises are pegged to raises granted to ISU faculty and staff. His contract also provides him Condit House as a place to live, including all utilities, insurance and housekeeping.

The contract also provides for a university-issued automobile, membership dues for the Country Club of Terre Haute and monthly base dues at the Skyline Club and the Columbia Club in Indianapolis.

Bradley's deferred [retirement] compensation in the new contract increases from $30,000 to $65,000 annually.

In approving the contract, the board of trustees took advantage of a new Indiana law allowing them to meet via electronic means.

Three board members, Randy Minas, Norman Lowery and David Campbell, were, along with Bradley, in St. Louis at the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament.

Member Jeff Taylor was in Indianapolis and Ed Pease was in Virginia. Only Sluyter, the student representative, was on the ISU campus for the conference call meeting. Two board members were unavailable for the meeting.

Trustees Pease and Campbell headed up the process of reviewing Bradley's new contract, running it past students, faculty and staff.

Several trustees congratulated Bradley after the roll-call vote. "Congratulations to us for keeping him," added Pease.

Bradley's salary is comparable with other Indiana college presidents, according to figures reported in December by the Chronicle of Higher Education. According to the publication, the president of DePauw University earns a base salary of about $297,000 with total compensation closer to $541,000. The base salaries for the presidents of the University of Indianapolis and the University of Evansville are 284,000 and 276,000 respectively with total compensation adding between $75,000 and 95,000.

Nationwide, more than three dozen university presidents are paid more than $1 million annually, the publication reported.

Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or [email protected].

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