FAMU Foundation Board will meet to discuss, vote on Marva Johnson's compensation package
As Florida A&M University finds itself on the cusp of a President Marva Johnson-era despite public outcry, her salary package is up for discussion.
The FAMU Foundation's board of directors will meet at 2 p.m. May 30 to discuss and vote on Johnson's compensation package, with the meeting being held both in person in Frisco, Texas, and virtually via Zoom. The meeting comes during the FAMU National Alumni Association's annual convention that began May 28 and will end June 1, also in Frisco, with the theme 'One FAMU: Stronger Together.'
The foundation board's scheduled meeting also comes two weeks after the university's Board of Trustees selected Johnson and approved a $450,000 to $750,000 salary range following the compensation recommendation of FAMU's presidential search committee.
At the same time, Johnson – group vice president at Charter Communications – asked for a $750,000 base salary in her application, where she left out how much she currently makes in her position at the internet and cable TV giant.
At the University of Florida, President Santa Ono is set to receive a five-year compensation package worth up to $15 million, making him one of the highest-paid public university presidents in the country.
While the state of Florida contributes a compensation amount of $250,000 to the total salary of its university presidents, it is up to the universities to come up with the rest of the money for their institution leader.
But presidential search committee members, including FAMU Foundation board chair Lisa LaBoo, have said the university can't afford Johnson's request, which is over $150,000 more than the $591,000 yearly salary in which former President Larry Robinson ended his seven-year presidential term, which included his $451,711 base salary plus incentives and benefits.
In addition, the university's Foundation – which had an investment value of $171.9 million as of September and contributes to the president's salary – recently began helping to fund FAMU men's basketball coach Charlie Ward's compensation following the approval of his five-year contract worth $975,000, and it also covers a portion of other coach salaries.
'With that being said, that's a lot,' LaBoo said in a May 13 search committee meeting, referring to an increased presidential salary.
Frustrations have run high lately as students, alumni and others in the community continue to condemn what they see as a lack of transparency in the process and political influence in Johnson's selection, which many are hoping to put a stop to as the Board of Governors looks to confirm her appointment in a June 18 meeting.
As the FAMU Foundation board of directors gets ready to discuss and vote on the presidential salary package, FAMU trustee Nicole Washington, who voted for Johnson, was given the authority to negotiate a contract with her − breaking the usual procedure of the Board of Trustees' chair taking on the task.
If the compensation range's high end of $750,000 is approved, it would include Johnson's base pay as well as incentives such as bonuses, retirement, housing and car allowances.
Individuals can tune into the board's May 30 meeting via Zoom at https://famu.zoom.us/j/92844657553?pwd=K00vejRic1BtU1lselRDZFpiTjlCZz09.
Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Foundation Board to meet for a vote on salary for Marva Johnson
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