By Lan Nguyen
The Board of Trustees recently approved a 5 percent raise, which totals $14,238, for U of L President James Ramsey. They also recommended a bonus of $98,000. The Board cited his achievement of several goals in different departments of the university as the reason for the salary increase.
SGA President Bill Brammell said that Ramsey merited the raise. He said Ramsey did an excellent job of accomplishing the goals he set for the university.
“[Ramsey] received highest achievement in all areas. It’s hard to say, though, what his biggest accomplishment was because he’s done such an excellent job,” Brammell said.
Ramsey’s many achievements have carried over to his role at the university as well, said U of L officials. As university president, Ramsey sets yearly goals for the university. The goals are presented to the Board of Trustees for approval. At the end of each year, the Board completes an evaluation of Ramsey’s progress. His success can be rated at several different levels: he can just barely achieve a goal, highly achieve a goal, or “knock ‘em dead” as Chair of the Faculty Senate William Pierce said.
Pierce voted to give Ramsey the raise. Administration can receive between a 1 and 5 percent raise.
Ramsey received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western Kentucky University and master’s and doctoral degrees in Economics from the University of Kentucky. He has served as president of the University of Louisville since Nov. 14, 2002. Before coming to U of L, he held the title of vice chancellor for Finance and Administration at both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Western Kentucky University. Other faculties where he has worked include the University of Kentucky, Loyola University and Middle Tennessee State University.
Outside of the academic world, Ramsey has been involved with the state government. He previously held the positions of interim commissioner of the Office of New Economy and special adviser to the chairman of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. In 1999, Ramsey received the title of Distinguished Economist of the Year.
Pierce believed that Ramsey’s most notable achievements were raising almost $60 million to support the university, not cutting any of the university’s programs and continuing to develop the university during “a lean year” with low government funding.
Junior Bridgeman, president of the Board of Trustees, was impressed by the progress the university has made financially and academically under Ramsey.
“There was no question about whether or not President Ramsey deserved the raise,” Bridgeman said. “He’s accomplished almost every goal, and we’re pleased with how well the attitude and feeling towards him is from the people reporting from campus.”
Presidential salaries: Kentucky State Universities 2004-05
University of Louisville – James R. Ramsey – $284,763
Northern Kentucky University – James C. Votruba – $278,512
University of Kentucky – Lee T. Todd – $275,330
KCTCS – Michael McCall – $261,000
Western Kentucky University – Gary A. Ransdell – $250,008
Murray State University – F. King Alexander – $220,000
Morehead State University – Wayne D. Andrews- $210,000; Ronald G. Eaglin – $200,000
Kentucky State University – Mary Evans – $195,000
Eastern Kentucky University – Joanne K. Glasser – $187,894
– Presidential compensation also typically includes fringe benefits, housing, automobiles and travel and entertainment allowances.
