Montana University leaders to get pay raises to bring them closer to nationally competitive levels. Montana students deserve the very best leadership.

The presidents of Montana’s two leading universities and the commissioner of higher education are in line to receive pay raises of more than $40,000 when the Montana Board of Regents meets this week in Butte.

The decision to raise university executives’ pay to be in line with salaries at similar universities was made in November 2005, when the regents approved a proposal put forward by then-Chairman John Mercer.

Regent Mark Semmens of Great Falls said the average salary for presidents of similar-size universities is $260,000, and Montana’s two presidents are earning only 58 percent of that, which puts their pay among the lowest in the nation.

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer

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