UT hires 2 deans at increased pay

5/2/2003

The University of Toledo announced yesterday the hiring of permanent deans for two of its colleges at significant pay increases.

Thomas Gutteridge, 60, emeritus dean and distinguished professor of management at the University of Connecticut, will take over the college of business administration July 1, according to UT Provost Alan Goodridge.

Dr. Gutteridge will be paid an annual salary of $200,000, and the university will pay about $30,000 to assist his relocation. He was paid about $215,000 in Connecticut, the provost said.

That compensation package represents an increase over that of Sonny Ariss, one of the four finalists for the position who has been interim dean at UT since 2000. He is paid $142,000.

In the college of engineering, Nagi Naganathan, 45, was selected to continue to serve as dean on a permanent basis. He had been interim dean since 2000. His pay will increase from $139,632 to $163,000.

Despite reduced state funding and a major budget crunch at UT, the raises were needed because the deans are now permanent and also to bring in the best talent for the jobs, Dr. Goodridge said.

“We must move forward, even in tight times, and to do so you must have good leadership,” he said.

A benchmarking survey conducted by UT indicates that the average salary for an engineering dean at a public university in Ohio is just under $160,400. Average pay for a business dean is a little under $172,000.

UT's offer to Dr. Gutteridge was higher because he has 19 years experience as a dean and because he comes in facing significant challenges. UT officials and faculty inside the college have said it needs stability and improved internal morale.

Gerald Sherman, chairman of the faculty senate, said the salary issue remains a sore spot for faculty, who have had much smaller increases in compensation at a time when university officials talk often about the financial challenges facing the institution.

“We're being told one thing, ... and now the university does seem to find money to hire these administrators,” he said.

The announcements were made a day after the UT Board of Trustees voted to make Johnnie Early II, dean of the college of pharmacy, the highest salaried dean at the university. His annual pay increased from $178,725 to $208,000 with a $15,000 stipend.

Dr. Gutteridge has a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from General Motors Institute, now called Kettering University. His master's degree and doctorate in industrial administration are from Purdue University.

Dr. Naganathan received a bachelor's degree from the University of Madras in India, a master's degree from Clarkson University in New York, and his doctorate from Oklahoma State University. All three degrees are in mechanical engineering.