Eye On Boise

Nellis is new UI prez

April 22, 2009 12:44 p.m. • 7 comments

Duane Nellis, current provost and senior vice president for academics at Kansas State University, has been named the new president of the University of Idaho. Nellis had been a finalist earlier but had withdrawn over pay considerations; the final terms under which he’ll take over at UI include changes in two state board policies to allow his pay to be supplemented by the UI Foundation, and to give him the rank of a full tenured professor. Click below to read the full announcement from the state Board of Ed.

BOARD NAMES DUANE NELLIS AS 17TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

MOSCOW - The Idaho State Board of Education announced today that Dr. Duane Nellis has accepted the position of President of the University of Idaho.

The offer of employment to Dr. Nellis, current Provost and Senior Vice President for Academics at Kansas State University, came as a result of a unanimous vote in an open meeting, held via telephone from the University of Idaho campus.

“I am so pleased,” said Board President Paul Agidius. “I have no doubt in my mind that we found the absolute best person. Dr. Nellis brings so much to this campus, this community and to this state.”

“It’s a thrill,” said Nellis. “I feel like I’m coming home. I have so much energy and passion for the work of land grant institutions and the special role they play in education. I just can’t wait to get started!”

Nellis takes over for Interim President Steven Dayley-Laursen, who has been serving since June 2008. Daley-Laursen guided the University of Idaho after Tim White left for the University of California Riverside.

“I want everyone to know that Steven Daley-Laursen gave this board the greatest advantage you can have in a search; time,” said Board President Paul Agidius. “His leadership and vision for this institution allowed us a board to take the time necessary to fully engage in the process, to vet all the candidates and do the due diligence required in such an important hire.”

A presidential search committee of 16 people representing a wide range of interests and stakeholders, co-chaired by Paul Agidius and Sue Thilo began work on finding a permanent replacement for White in July 2008. Nellis along with four others were named finalists for the position in January 2009. Dr. Nellis visited various UI campus locations in early February 2009.

Nellis will start July 1, 2009 commencing with the start of the new fiscal year with the following terms of compensation:

    * Annual Salary $335,000
          o $298,000 from the state of Idaho
          o $ 37,000 in the form of an unrestricted gift from the University of Idaho Foundation to the University to use for presidential compensation.
    * Rank of full tenure professor at the University of Idaho
    * 3 year contract
    * Medical, dental, vision, life insurance benefits
    * Use of on-campus residence
    * $7,200 annual automobile allowance

The Board also voted to waive two different policies, clearing the way for Nellis’ appointment. The Board waived its policies that provide institution presidents are not eligible for academic tenure or to receive supplemental compensation from institutional foundations. The Board determined to waive those policies in connection with the appointment of Dr. Nellis, and asked its staff to prepare a revision to those policies for proposed future consideration by the Board.

A full biography detailing Dr. Nellis’ background and academic history is available on the University of Idaho presidential search web site; www.uidaho.edu/presidentialsearch.aspx .

To learn more about the Board of Regents for the University of Idaho and the Idaho State Board of Education, please visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov .

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Seven comments on this post so far. Add yours!

fortboise on April 22 at 3:58 p.m.
I hope he turns out to be really, really good. Otherwise the “extra miles” on the compensation package will add insult to injury.

I’m most curious to know what “tenure” and “rank” were doing in this negotiation. The position and title are President, top of the heap. President AND Professor? Please.

And tenure? Chief executives serve at the pleasure of their Boards, or constituents, as the case may be, do they not? Is he planning to fall back to being a professor at the U in case he doesn’t work out as head man?!
Callisto on April 22 at 6:06 p.m.
My reaction exactly.

Why did the State Board adopt a policy making presidents ineligible for academic tenure? And why did Mr. Nellis ask that the policy be waived so he could receive the rank of tenured professor?

Does this concession mean that if his performance as president is unsatisfactory, Mr. Nellis will not be terminated but instead demoted to a tenured faculty position (at a base salary of $298,000)?

Asking for this type of concession seems like a strange way to begin one’s career as a university president. This seems to signal that Mr. Nellis is wary of his new employers and considers this a tenuous career move. He was obviously reluctant to accept the position without a safety net.

On the other hand, perhaps Mr. Nellis knows that some of the actions he must inevitably take to salvage the UI will be an unpleasant departure from tradition for the State Board. If that’s the case, then a safety net is essential, and may portend some very positive changes for the UI.

In any case, a full explanation of the implications of this contractual detail would be appreciated for those of us outside the inner circle.
JamesBond on April 22 at 10:02 p.m.
The poltics of academia, with its titles and whatnot, is bizzare. It reminds me of some kind of fraternal organizaiton back in the 50’s, with funny hats and secret handshakes. The freakin’ dude is the PRESIDENT! Crap! Leave it alone!!!
moscow_minidoka on April 23 at 7:59 a.m.
Bond - The titles and whatnot are only bizarre if you’re unfamiliar with them. Academia predates corporatism - a better analogy might be with the ranks and titles of the Catholic Church.

I myself am confused as all get-out when my software engineer best friend mentions the titles and and duties of his various co-workers. Many disciplines have their own specific vocabulary.