State: Perks await college leaders

Before announcing his resignation this week, Florida A&M University President Frederick Humphries struck a deal that includes a year's paid sabbatical and a new job with a $50,000 expense account and most of his salary intact.

Such are the golden parachutes of higher education, which have become an increasingly common sight over Florida's university system landscape.

Fifteen months ago, John Lombardi jumped out of a turbulent University of Florida presidency and landed as the director of a newly created UF center for Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

His salary is $226,000. That doesn't include the center's budget of $231,000.

Another package is on the table for university system Chancellor Adam Herbert, 57, who announced last month that he was stepping down to start a new center for public policy and leadership at the University of North Florida.

His salary would be $240,000, with another $689,000 in tax money earmarked for staff, office space and equipment.

Such arrangements are not unusual in higher education, where they are viewed as a way to keep particularly valuable administrators working for the public benefit.

"It's a way for someone who has served in a distinguished capacity to step into a different kind of role," said former university system Chancellor E.T. York, who considers the practice "an honored tradition."

When necessary, it also can serve as a useful inducement.

The state is obliged under university system guidelines to provide retiring presidents with only one perk: a chance to rejoin the faculty at 90 percent of their former pay. But a sweetener -- such as a paid sabbatical or the directorship of a new center -- is sometimes offered to ease a balky transition.

"In a situation where there is controversy, and the individual otherwise provided distinguished service, this can work to everyone's benefit," said Dennis Ross, who was on the state Board of Regents when Lombardi's retirement package was approved.

Lombardi, now 58, got his position after testy negotiations with university system officials over his departure from UF.

Most of the appointments attract little attention.

Robert Bryan, a one-time interim president at UF, now works for the school's foundation, a non-profit organization that assists with university fundraising.

Bernard Sliger, a former president at Florida State University, directs the Stavros Center for Economic Education. Dale Lick, another former FSU president, is a professor of educational leadership.

Bryan's salary was not available Tuesday, but the two other ex-presidents are not suffering financially. Sliger earns $161,000 annually. Lick pulls down $134,000 for nine month's work.

Some university officials say it is misleading to lump such arrangements with the lucrative severance packages offered in private industry.

Former presidents and chancellors, they note, must work to earn their pay. The 65-year-old Humphries, for example, has agreed to help raise money for FAMU's new law school while running his new center. He also will be subject to annual performance evaluations that will help determine future raises.

Still, the deals can lead to unusual situations.

Herbert negotiated his package with UNF President Anne Hopkins, whom he helped make president. The proposal was then okayed by R.E. LeMon, an associate vice chancellor who works for Herbert.

Herbert has been chancellor for three years and was a university president for 10 years before that.

Keith Goldschmidt, a spokesman for the chancellor, said Herbert's final arrangement is still subject to regents' approval. No one expects any problems.

York is one of several officials who said Tuesday that Herbert has earned his appointment.

"Adam will provide valuable service to this state," he said.

The center Herbert hopes to create will have several missions, but its focus will be on identifying opportunities that can enhance economic growth, community development and the quality of life in Florida.

"I'm excited about the opportunities," he said in an interview last week. "I can't wait to get started."

Lombardi, who did not return interview requests, has had a year to get his center up and running.

He listed several accomplishments in a recent report. They include:

Publication of a study on the methodological difficulties of U.S. News & World Report's rankings of colleges.

Teaching an undergraduate class on intercollegiate athletics.

Receipt of a private gift that will support the center's work.