Office of University Communications
Board extends contract with President Nietzel for extra year
Date: May 17, 2007
Contact: Michael Franks
(417) 592-5971
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — High marks on the annual performance evaluation have led the Missouri State University Board of Governors to extend the contract with President Michael T. Nietzel for another year. The extension means the contract will run through 2011.
The Board was unanimous in its praise for Nietzel in his second year as president of Missouri State, according to Board President Mike Franks of Neosho. Franks cited Nietzel’s excellent work with state and federal governmental leaders; his relationship building with alumni, donors and friends; his effective communication with all constituent groups; and his effective and innovative budget management, from fund-raising to reallocation. However, Franks said that it was Nietzel’s handling of difficult situations that marked 2006-07.
“Dr. Nietzel has not been shy about addressing difficult situations this year,” said Franks. “To his credit, he and his administrative team have dealt with these issues head-on, quickly, publicly and well. As has been said before, a university should not be evaluated based on whether or not it has challenges. Rather, it should be evaluated based on how it responds to those challenges. Without exception, the Board believes Dr. Nietzel’s responses have fulfilled the university’s fifth goal of ‘modeling effective and ethical behavior.’”
As part of the new contract, Nietzel will receive a 4 percent increase in salary for 2007-08, which is the same merit percentage available to faculty and staff. With the 4 percent raise, Nietzel’s salary moves from $247,200 to $257,088 beginning July 1, 2007.
Also as part of the new contract, the retention agreement has been increased. Should Nietzel remain as president for four years (through June 30, 2009), he will received $200,000, which is an increase from the $100,000 included in the previous contract. Further, Nietzel will be eligible for an additional $50,000 per year for an additional three years (through June 30, 2012) should he remain as president. The other elements of the contract remain the same – housing allowance, use of an automobile and entertainment expenses.
“During this past year, with Dr. Nietzel’s leadership, the university completed its long-range plan,” said Franks. “Our expectation is that Dr. Nietzel will lead the campus community in fulfilling the goals identified in that plan, many of which are goals of aspiration. If we are successful with the plan, we will be very pleased with the progress of this university over the next five years. I am confident we will reach our goals with Dr. Nietzel’s leadership.
“If they haven’t already, other universities will learn about Dr. Nietzel and his many abilities. This Board was intent on being proactive to retain Dr. Nietzel through 2012. In short, for the next five years, we want Dr. Nietzel leading Missouri State University, not some other school. Revising the retention incentive agreement is one means of helping accomplish that.”
The Missouri State Board of Governors met in closed session today (May 17) to discuss the evaluation of Nietzel and then released the results during the open meeting. In accordance with the Missouri Open Meetings, Open Records Law (Sunshine Law), the decision was announced within 72 hours after the decision.
Nietzel (pronounced NIT-zel) began July 1, 2005, as Missouri State’s ninth president. He came to Missouri State from being provost at the University of Kentucky.
Nietzel had been at the University of Kentucky for 32 years. He was named provost of the University of Kentucky on Nov. 1, 2002. Nietzel was also professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky. He held a joint appointment on the faculty of the University of Kentucky College of Law. Prior to being named provost, he served as acting provost for 18 months and as dean of the Graduate School for four years.
Nietzel joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky in 1973 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1977 and professor in 1981. From 1977-90, Nietzel served as director of the clinical psychology training program at the University of Kentucky. In 1991, he was named chair of the department of psychology and he completed a second term as chair in 1997.
He received his B.A. from Wheaton College in 1969, and his M.A. degree in 1972 and his Ph.D. in 1973, both from the University of Illinois.
Nietzel’s research interests are concentrated in the areas of forensic psychology, jury decision-making and the assessment of psychotherapy outcomes. He has written several leading books and more than 85 scholarly articles in these areas. He has served on the editorial boards of numerous journals in the areas of clinical psychology and legal psychology, and he has been elected a fellow in both the American Psychology Association and the American Psychology Society.