Susan Martin will be Eastern Michigan University’s president for another two years, after the Board of Regents, at its Dec. 16 meeting, extended her contract until July 7, 2013.
The extension includes a series of salary increases, one effective Jan. 1, where Martin’s salary was increased by 2.5 percent to $292,125.
On July 8 of this year, year four of Martin’s contract, the president’s salary will be increased by 3 percent, to $300,889.
President Martin will also receive a performance bonus in lump sum payment of $7,500 on July 8. At the end of her five-year appointment, Martin will also be eligible for a performance bonus of $10,000. The bonus would be based upon a satisfactory evaluation of her performance, and it would be awarded at the discretion of the board.
Overall, Martin will see a salary increase of $24,915 over the five years of the contract. The increase will average 1.7 percent annually.
During the meeting, the board also amended Martin’s contract to include $10,000 in moving expenses she incurred moving to and from University House.
In an interview with the Eastern Echo, Martin thanked the board of trustees for extending her contract and the students and faculty for the “warm welcoming” she has received since being here. Martin, 60, began her time as president of EMU in the summer of 2008.
“I really love Eastern and its students,” Martin said.
When asked about possible criticism of her salary increase, Martin wanted to inform the campus community that she didn’t ask for it.
“I was first to step up and ask the board not to give me an increase,” she said. “I don’t want to burden students. … My husband and I believe in giving back. We’re Eastern’s biggest cheerleaders. It’s a modest increase and I hope the Eastern community understands that.”
According to Martin, she and her husband have pledged more than $25,000 to the university.
Darrion Brown, a junior, said he doesn’t have a problem with the president receiving a pay increase.
“I don’t think it’s that much, especially if you compare it to other university presidents,” he said. “I think she’s done a great job so far.”
Brandi Banyes said she believes Martin’s a good president, but the increase came at the wrong time.
“She’s done some cool things for us so far,” Banyes said. “I never thought I would see College Place get repaved or Pray-Harrold renovated. I think she deserves an increase, but just not right now. Too many people are hurting for money. It’s kind of hard to justify a raise in this economy, and I’m kind of wondering how the faculty feels here after all of those contract negotiations.”
Martin said she’s been able to accomplish a variety of things since being at EMU. The highly publicized 0-0-0 initiative as well as the construction and remodeling around campus were a few mentioned items, but one thing stuck out in particular to her.
“Shining a bright light on Eastern,” she said.
Tracy Nolen said she was around to see EMU under the previous administration and Martin’s a “definite improvement.”
“I lost my job in Sept. so I really don’t want to think about anyone getting a pay increase, but I think EMU’s come a long way since she’s been here,” Nolen said.