President Mark Schlissel has exceeded expectations and advanced the university’s global reputation, according to the Board of Regents, which awarded him a 3 percent salary increase at its meeting Thursday.
Reporting on behalf of the entire board, Regent Andrew Richner said, “By every important measure, the University of Michigan is doing exceptionally well under your leadership.”
Regents said that in the president’s second year, he elevated the excellence and impact of the university in several key areas, including recruiting and retaining top deans and faculty, launching initiatives to encourage multidisciplinary faculty research and advancing long-term strategies in academics, devoting resources to access and improving affordability.
He noted “demand for a University of Michigan education is again at an all-time high. More than 55,000 students sought admission for the current term in Ann Arbor and credentials of our incoming class are the best they’ve ever been.”
Additional accomplishments from Schlissel’s first two years include:
• Recruiting and retaining top faculty, including new deans this fall in six schools and colleges and a new director of the Life Sciences Institute.
• Restructuring the Health System, positioning the university for stronger leadership in research, education and patient care.
• New facilities and partnerships are expanding access to Michigan care for patients in the state.
• Strategically aligning the university’s information technology functions to realize the full strategic potential of current and future investments, and the process to hire U-M’s first vice president and chief information officer is underway.
• Increases in financial aid, which has reduced the average cost of attendance for students from families in all but the top income categories, as reported on the federal government’s College Scorecard released this week.
Board of Regents Chair Mark Bernstein said, “You couldn’t pay me enough to do your job, and we’re probably not doing that today.
“I want to add how brilliant and thoughtfully you are leading this institution. You approach this work with a degree of integrity, not just with the board, but your colleagues and students. My hope is that we continue to say that in the years to come.”
“You are our Miguel Cabrera,” Regent Denise Ilitch added, referring to the Detroit Tigers’ franchise slugger.
The board unanimously approved a 3 percent raise of $23,175 for the president, bringing his annual salary to $795,675. He also will receive $100,000 in retirement contributions for the three remaining years of his contract.
Schlissel thanked the board for its continued support, adding, “I think I have the best job in higher education.”
