LAKS serving as Chair of AAU

Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon on Tuesday begins a one-year term as chairwoman of the Association of American Universities, officials announced Tuesday

The nonprofit organization is made up of 62 public and private research universities in the United States and Canada. It works to maintain a partnership between research universities and the government and to advance university research and higher education.

EAST LANSING — Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon will continue to receive a $750,000 annual salary after asking for the eighth time in 10 years not to get a pay increase.

At Simon's request, the university's Compensation Committee had recommended not granting an increase following a positive evaluation of her performance in June. The MSU Board of Trustees approved keeping Simon's salary flat at a meeting this morning.

"I think about it in terms of what money could be used for," Simon said in an interview following the meeting. "It seemed to me there was better alternative use for money for the university than to give me more money.”

LooseGoose wrote:With LAKS and Hollis in place MSU is so blessed with great leadership right now.

MSU president requests no raise; board approves

EAST LANSING — Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon will continue to receive a $750,000 annual salary after asking for the eighth time in 10 years not to get a pay increase.

At Simon's request, the university's Compensation Committee had recommended not granting an increase following a positive evaluation of her performance in June. The MSU Board of Trustees approved keeping Simon's salary flat at a meeting this morning.

"I think about it in terms of what money could be used for," Simon said in an interview following the meeting. "It seemed to me there was better alternative use for money for the university than to give me more money.”

Simon said she agreed in a "compromise" to the creation of the Roy J. and Lou Anna K. Simon Scholarship,  which will be awarded to qualifying first-generation college students.

Simon, who was the first to go to college in her family, said first-generation college students don't have the benefit of family members who can help guide them toward their academic goals and career dreams.