Regents to vote Friday on next NU president and to approve key contract terms
Dr. Jeffrey Gold meets with workers in Varner Hall, which includes NU's Office of the President. April 15, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with comments from Dr. Jeffrey Gold and additional details about the proposed contract terms.
LINCOLN — Barring any late surprises Friday, Dr. Jeffrey Gold said he is excited to likely take the helm as the University of Nebraska’s ninth president, effective July 1.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, priority candidate for president of the University of Nebraska, meets with members of the University of Nebraska at Omaha community. April 16, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is set to vote at a Friday meeting, beginning at 1 p.m., whether to confirm Gold as president. An updated agenda item with “key contractual terms” includes an initial five-year term for Gold’s presidency at a base salary of $1,062,573 — a boost of about $31,000 of Gold’s current salary.
“It is certainly the most prestigious position — other than being a husband and a father, now grandfather — I will have ever had in my career,” Gold told the Nebraska Examiner. “I certainly am very excited and humbled by this opportunity and will work my butt off to make it work.”
Former NU President Ted Carter’s base salary when he started Jan. 1, 2020, was $962,000.
Gold, currently chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and NU’s executive vice president and provost, would still also be a professor in UNMC’s Department of Surgery in the College of Medicine, concurrently with his presidency.
‘Moving onward and upward’
Regent Rob Schafer of Beatrice, board chair, is sponsoring the Friday vote to appoint Gold and said Thursday he’s confident Gold will be NU’s next president.
“Just looking forward to getting Chancellor Gold confirmed as our next president and moving onward and upward,” Schafer told the Examiner.
From left, UNL Student Regent Paul Pechous and Regents Elizabeth O’Connor and Rob Schafer. Oct. 5, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
At least five of the eight elected regents will need to vote in favor of Gold; one month ago, they unanimously selected Gold as NU’s priority candidate for president.
The early days of a Gold presidency, he said, would be marked by listening sessions to hear from rural and urban communities, businesses and the NU community of faculty, staff, students and alumni and to understand their vision and future of how to improve the university for Nebraska.
“I don’t plan to do this alone,” Gold said.
Higher education of tomorrow
Once the future vision is synthesized, the goal will be to create a strategy with tactics, metrics and accountability to achieve it, Gold added, noting NU has more than 150 years of history.
“My goal is to take what is truly an excellent institution and continue to raise its prominence, its reputation and continue to create, if we can, the definition and the structure of what higher education will be tomorrow,” Gold said.
The proposed contract terms, which would be finalized at a future board meeting, also include:
Performance-based merit pay, up to 15% of Gold’s base salary ($159,386).
A deferred compensation package for Gold at 11.5% of his base salary ($122,196).
An official residence paid for with support from the NU Foundation.
Up to $20,000 in moving or transition expenses.
Membership at a country club of Gold’s choosing as approved and paid by the NU Foundation.
Reasonable travel expenses for Gold’s wife, Robin, to participate in selected NU events, also paid by the NU Foundation or other non-state funds.
Standard benefits for NU employees, including vacation, disability leave, retirement contribution and health insurance.
‘Promise of a future’
From left, Regents Paul Kenney, Katie Schultis (UNMC student regent), Barbara Weitz, Kathy Wilmot and Hakim Lotoro (UNO student regent). Oct. 5, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
Regent Elizabeth O’Connor of Omaha voted against Carter’s appointment in 2019 because of his salary. Last month she said she firmly believes that Gold, as an experienced leader in education, “is poised to help us take advantage of these opportunities and to build a university of Nebraska’s future.”
O’Connor was not immediately available for a request for comment.
Regent Barbara Weitz of Omaha said Friday’s meeting “brings the promise of a future” for NU that is “filled with innovation, creativity and growth in so many ways.”
“I have spoken to so many Nebraskans who are thrilled with Dr. Gold as our priority candidate — I cannot wait for the meeting,” Weitz said in a text. “He will bring out the best in our governance, our students, our faculty and staff.”
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