With the University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor position
up for grabs, the UW System Board of Regents will deliberate this week on a new
plan to increase the salary range of several different leader positions
systemwide.

Many UW chancellors currently earn salaries that are much
lower than those of chancellors at other institutions in their respective peer
groups.

UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley, who will be stepping down
in September, currently earns a salary of $327,000. Compared to UW-Madison?s
peer group, he makes 21 percent less than chancellors at comparable
institutions.

The plan proposed by Board of Regents President Mark Bradley
will increase the range of salaries at UW-Madison and 11 comprehensive colleges
around the system, UW spokesperson David Giroux said.

?This is just routine maintenance,? Giroux said. ?Most state
employees’ salaries are increased every year, but chancellors are a different
animal. Their salaries can only be adjusted by the Board of Regents.?

The chancellors in UW-Madison?s peer group make an average
salary of $437,000 and the median is $416,000. This means UW is ?on the low
end,?Regent Vice President ChuckPruitt said.

The Board of Regents plans to increase the salary range of
UW?s next chancellor to between$369,000 and
$452,000, putting the institution within the average salary range of its peers.

The search for three new
chancellors in the system at UW-Madison, UW-Whitewater and UW-Parkside may be
the catalyst for the changes to the salary ranges, because salaries need to be
at market rate, Giroux said.

This adjustment will not have an
affect on the salaries of the current chancellors, meaning Wiley will make the
same tomorrow as he does today, Pruitt said, but the adjusted range will affect
the new chancellors to be chosen by fall.

?The vote they take at the Board
of Regents meeting will not change anyone?s salaries directly,? Giroux said.
?However, when they come up for review in front of the board, the new ranges
could have an affect then.?

The plan will be brought in front
of the Business, Finance, and Audit Committee as a recommendation and then will
be voted on by the entire Board of Regents. If they vote in favor of the plan,
it will go into effect July 1.