MORGANTOWN – Following WVU’s Monday announcement about the reorganization of the Strategic Initiatives unit with the departure of Vice President Rob Alsop, The Dominion Post submitted some questions about how the leadership team would be compensated with their new and/or revised duties.
Here are the answers. We present them in the context that administrative salaries have been a sore spot among those affected by or simply just opposing the Academic Transformation process, with its RIFs and program cuts. WVU announced earlier this month that senior leadership had taken voluntary 10% pay cut.
We asked WVU: Under the reorganization, will the leaders with new/revised duties get raises? If so, when would they take effect? And do you or will you have new figures?
And we asked: With the voluntary 10% cuts, will that be factored into their 2024 salaries (raise or no).
The second answer was simple: “The length and nature of voluntary reductions varies by individual, as they are voluntary.”
For the first set, we’ll go through person by person. WVU noted in answer to another question that all leadership contracts are based on the fiscal year, July 1-June 30. All salaries are benchmarked by Class and Comp based on job duties.
Alsop, former vice president for Strategic Initiatives, announced his departure Oct. 31, with the plan to temporarily transition to the role of special adviser to the president through Jan. 31, 2024. His compensation for the years 2022, 2021 and 2020 was, respectively: $426,725.57; $385,859.31; $378,934.32.
Under the reorganization, all Talent and Culture teams now report to Stephanie Taylor, WVU vice president and general counsel. Taylor will continue to lead the WVU’s legal team and the University Police Department. Her compensation for 2022-2020: $291,621.50; $266,768.56; $263,485.40.
WVU said there is no anticipated near-term change to her current compensation despite her additional responsibilities.
Talent and Culture previously reported to Alsop through a former vice president Cris DeBord, who announced his retirement in August, and his position was eliminated. His 2022-2020 compensation: $344,808.82; $309,878.10; $321,724.95.
Because Talent and Culture is a critical function for university employees, WVU said, they will begin a search for an associate vice president at a later date.
Remaining under the leadership of Associate Vice President Ted Svehlik, the Auxiliary and Business Services team will report to Paula Congelio, vice president and chief financial officer. Svehlik previously reported to Alsop. Svehlik’s compensation: $278,964.60; $276,389.89; $281,551.08.
Congelio also will take on the Dining Services, WVU Bookstores and Erickson Alumni Center teams, which will be grouped into a strategic partnerships team led by Assistant Vice President Erin Newmeyer.
Congelio’s compensation: $431,063.68; $369,696.08; $405,685.16. As with Taylor, WVU said there is no anticipated near-term change to Congelio’s current compensation despite her additional responsibilities.
Newmeyer, who previously reported to Alsop and served Strategic Initiatives as assistant vice president, will also continue to oversee the marketing/communications efforts for Finance, Auxiliary and Business Services, Legal, Talent and Culture, University Police, Erickson Alumni Center and other administrative units. Her compensation: $141,163.54; $127,603.43; $113,440.44.
Brice Knotts, chief information officer, will report directly to President Gordon Gee. Knotts previously reported to Alsop and will continue to lead WVU’s Information Technology Services team. His compensation: $251,735.32; $217,977.90; $194,506.80.
Travis Mollohan, director of government relations, will become associate vice president and lead government relations and collaborations. Mollohan will report to Gee and manage a team that focuses on federal, state, local and corporate relations.
His compensation: $117,974.74; $114,453.10; $117,826.70. WVU said Mollohan is anticipated to see a compensation adjustment beginning sometime in December (not yet finalized) due to the significant changes in his role.
Rocco Fucillo, senior advisor and director of state relations, retired from WVU. His compensation: $103,521.10; $102,307.18; $106,624.11.
Email: dbeard@dominionpost.com
