University of Illinois trustees voted Thursday to give a nearly $100,000 bonus to outgoing UIC chancellor Paula Allen-Meares, who completed her tenure as the campus’ top official a day earlier.
U. of I. President Robert Easter recommended the board approve the bonus pay based on goals that included increasing diversity in employee searches, reporting to the board on graduation rates and working on improving them, determining the impact the Affordable Care Act may have on hospital systems, and recruiting more out-of-state and international undergraduates.
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Her salary increased to $437,244 in August.
“The President has conducted an evaluation of her performance based on goals for the chancellor,” according to an agenda item the board voted on at its meeting at the UIC campus. The chancellor will be paid $98,440 within 30 days.
Allen-Meares was appointed in 2009 and given a five-year contract. Board members decided in 2013 to extend her contract an additional year, to this month, but not to retain her as chancellor beyond then. At that time, they also decided she would be eligible for bonus pay at the end of her term.
On Thursday, the board also approved the title of chancellor emerita in recognition of her “dedication and many contributions to the Chicago campus.”
“Her contributions to the University of Illinois are a lasting legacy and we are very grateful for her dedication to the campus and the university,” according to a resolution voted on by the board.
According to her original contract, Allen-Meares will now join the U. of I. faculty, and will have a starting annual salary of $380,000. She will not be required to teach courses in her first year, but will be required to teach four courses annually in subsequent years.
On Thursday, the board of trustees also approved hiring Michael Amiridis as UIC’s next chancellor. Amiridis, the provost at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, will take over March 16. Until then, interim provost Eric A. “Rick” Gislason will serve as interim chancellor.
Under Allen-Meares’ leadership, UIC’s enrollment increased by more than 2,000 students and research funding grew by nearly 14 percent to more than $388 million, according to the campus. She was an advocate for bringing the Obama Presidential Library to UIC, and the campus is one of four finalists. She also led efforts to increase student and faculty diversity, and opened an Office of Diversity.
But her tenure was not without challenges. The faculty formed a union under her watch and last year held a two-day strike.
The faculty Senate voted no confidence in her leadership last August.
In an email to UIC students, faculty and staff Wednesday, Allen-Meares said it was a “pleasure and honor” to serve as chancellor.
“There is tremendous spirit and pride among the UIC community,” she wrote. “I am grateful that I had an opportunity to work with all of you who contribute in so many ways to make this university great.”