REGENTS GET FINAL SAY ON MERIT PAY

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents will have the final say on any new merit pay plan for faculty, the board's president said Thursday.

"There can't be any salary changes without the action of the board," said Donald Harrison, board president.

On Wednesday, the school's provost, Dr. Charles Kupchella, said the merit plan didn't require board approval.

The Faculty Senate adopted the controversial plan Monday, and Dr. Kala Stroup signed it on Wednesday, her last workday as the school's president. Stroup officially takes over as Missouri commissioner of higher education today.

Even though she signed off on the plan, Stroup has left it up to the interim president, Dr. Bill Atchley, as to what to do with the plan.

The regents stated a general policy four years ago and left it up to the university administration and the faculty to work out the details.

But Harrison said the new merit plan should be brought before the regents.

Harrison said the membership of the board has changed. Harrison is the only holdover from the 1991 board.

"I know there wasn't a blank check granted from back in 1991," he said.