June 19, 2009

Regents approve three-year contract for NAU president


The Arizona Board of Regents voted unanimously today to award a new three-year contract for Northern Arizona University President John Haeger, which will take effect July 1, 2010.

Comments from campus colleagues:

"President Haeger has, once again, taken the high road by donating the amount of his salary increase to the NAU Foundation and to the Distinguished Faculty Fellows Program. This is yet another example of how faculty, staff and administration are forfeiting together to endure these lean times. 

“Congratulations also to President Haeger for his past eight years of university leadership, for his constructive work with the NAU faculty, and for his contract renewal. I look forward to another productive year working with him."
— William (Bill) Culbertson, president of the Faculty Senate

“We need someone with vision and sustained leadership, and we have that in Dr. Haeger.”
—Regents’ Professor Paul Keim         

“President Haeger has carried us through rough times, led us in the direction of an eco-friendly campus and kept us informed in the current budget situation. It is not his fault that the upcoming contract renewal comes at a bad budget time. We must look forward and see what is best in the long run for the growth of the university.”
—Mary Lou Galyon, chair of the Classified Staff Advisory Council

“I question the man's sanity, but I am grateful that President Haeger has the desire and the fortitude to continue leading NAU through these challenging times for another three years.”
—Tom Carpenter, chair of the Service Professional Advisory Council

In approving the new contract, the regents also authorized a base salary increase of $48,000, which Haeger has announced he will offset with a donation to the NAU Foundation for student scholarships and the President's Distinguished Teaching Fellows Program for 2010-11.

“In compensating our university presidents, we consider the needs of the institution and seek to put in place, and maintain, leadership that will advance the institution individually and the system collectively,” said Robert Bulla, chair of the Arizona Board of Regents’ Human Resources Committee and past president of the board. 

“President Haeger has proven he is the right leader for NAU, and I confidently support renewal of his contract for another three years. I look forward to the continued excellent work I know he will produce.”

Incoming ABOR President Ernest Calderón said, “I am pleased to support the reappointment of John Haeger. He has been a great partner in advancing Northern Arizona University. Most importantly, he is a thoughtful steward of our university resources.” 

Several members of the university and Flagstaff communities addressed the regents during its meeting on the NAU campus to voice their support of a new contract for Haeger.

Karla Brewster, a member of the Flagstaff City Council and an NAU employee, told the regents, “We want his leadership and progressive ideas to stay.”

Kathleen Templin, president of the Associated Students of NAU, echoed the sentiment saying, “I really admire President Haeger’s leadership and vision for the school."

Flagstaff business leader LaVelle McCoy noted, “The town-gown (relationship) has never been better in this community.”

Supportive testimonials also were offered by former Regent Kay McKay, Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Julie Pastrick, NAU Associate Dean of Student Life Deborah Harris, Flagstaff businessman Bruce Nordstrom, NAU Regents’ Professor Paul Keim and former Flagstaff Mayor Chris Bavasi.