Print edition: 
TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents has approved salary increases for the heads of its six universities, including sizeable market adjustments for three CEOs.
All of the university leaders received a 1.8 percent cost-of-living increase for the coming year.
The increases, approved on an 8-1 vote this week, were higher for the leaders at Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University.
Increases for those three ranged from 12.2 percent to 14.7 percent, including a $50,000 boost for K-State President Kirk Schulz.
Steve Scott, president of Pittsburg State, will receive a 14.7 percent market increase and Ed Hammond, president of Fort Hays State, 12.2 percent.
"We all believe we have great university leaders at our regents institutions," said Regent Fred Logan Jr. of Leawood when the plan was presented to the board.
Logan said the adjustments for Fort Hays State, K-State and Pittsburg State were because those presidents were being paid less than their peers at other universities nationwide. He added that the 1.8 percent base increase for all CEOs "was not pro forma. It is a vote of confidence."
The increases will take effect Jan. 1 and will be paid through a combination of public and private endowment funds. Regent Chairman Ed McKechnie says the details of how much of the increases will be paid in state funds or private sources must be determined.
Schulz will see his salary go from $350,000 to $400,000; Scott from $213,000 to $248,378; Hammond from $222,860 to $255,200; University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little from $425,000 to $432,650; and Wichita State University President Don Beggs from $277,160 to $282,150.
The rate for Emporia State's leader will be determined when the new president is hired.
McKechnie said the new rates were the caps placed on compensation from all sources.
Regent Tim Emert of Independence was the lone vote against the pay increases, objecting to the manner by which the leaders would be paid. He said all of the increases should come from state funds, not student tuition or private funds.
"The state Legislature and governor, for some reason, refuse to step up to the plate and reward excellence," Emert said.
Emert also said he was concerned about the employees who are not getting raises.
"All the people keeping the engines running are not receiving increases," he said.
Christine Downey-Schmidt of Inman voted for the increase because it was the one way for the board to provide raises.
"It seems we have asked more and more and more from these presidents and the chancellor. We are asking more, we ought to be able to deliver," she said.
