Next year, when he begins teaching higher education, emerging technologies, and innovation at UMass Lowell, he may earn a salary of up to $316,784, close to triple what the average full professor makes either at that campus or the university’s flagship campus in Amherst. The final amount will be determined under an agreement that was not publicly discussed nor ratified by the full UMass board of trustees.
The three highest earners also work in the UMass system: Michael F. Collins, chancellor of the medical school; Terence R. Flotte, provost of the medical school; and Derek R. Lovley, an associate dean at UMass Amherst, payroll records show.
Even Wilson said he was surprised to learn how much he could earn as a professor.
His compensation could add UMass to the list of universities nationwide embroiled in controversy over sabbaticals and other perks provided to departing presidents despite tight budgets.
“Many presidents have in their contracts provisions for golden parachutes, as though they’re corporate executives,’’ said Benjamin Ginsberg, author of “The Fall of the Faculty,’’ a recent critique of university administrations. “On campus, we don’t like it because it seems like a waste of money. But it is becoming the norm.’’
Wilson said his pay on sabbatical excludes many of his old presidential benefits, such as housing and car allowances. And rather than relax, he is advising Caret, developing new courses, and representing the university system on civic boards. He spends about half his time running the new Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate for free. Instead of paying Wilson directly, the institute is temporarily reimbursing the school 41 percent of his sabbatical salary through this month, because he is technically on loan to the organization.
“It’s quite a lot of work and I get no compensation for that, but the university does,’’ Wilson said. “I thought I was doing a double good thing: helping the university and helping the institute. Quite honestly, I think if you compare the way I’ve used my sabbatical versus other presidents who have left recently, you’ll discover I’m focused a lot more on helping the university.’’
