New University of Montana president may receive $314K salary

MISSOULA (AP) — The Montana Board of Regents is considering paying the incoming University of Montana president nearly $314,000 annually.

Kevin McRae with the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Office’s said if the contract is approved, Seth Bodnar’s salary will comparable to that of interim President Sheila Stearns’ and Montana State University President Waded Cruzado.

Although Bodnar is a Rhodes Scholar and graduate from the University of Oxford in England, the General Electric executive was considered a nontraditional candidate since he has spent the majority of his career outside of academia.

According to an item on the board’s agenda posted Wednesday, he will not be offered deferred compensation, $500,000 packages given to flagship presidents in the past.

The board will take up the hiring contract next week.