SEMO GETS MONEY'S WORTH WITH CHANCELLOR

Legitimate expense or golden parachute? Determining which was the aim of Missouri Auditor Claire McCaskill when she reviewed 14 contracts from seven of Missouri's universities. Of the 14, only three were singled out for comment, including Dr. Dale Nitzschke's contract as chancellor at Southeast Missouri State University.

McCaskill questioned the two-year arrangement to pay an annual salary of $95,000 plus annuity and expenses while Nitzschke, former SEMO president, raises funds for the university. But her chief complaint was the fact Nitzschke's lives in Ohio.

The real question: How much money will Nitzschke raise in the two years? The university says Nitzschke has secured more than $3 million in private and federal money in the current fiscal year and could bring in another $18 million in the next fiscal year. To most observers, $21 million is a good return on an investment of about $250,000.

By contrast, a golden parachute expects little or nothing in return when someone retires or leaves employment with a big payoff. McCaskill certainly has a right even an obligation to examine such contracts when public universities financed by taxpayer dollars are involved.

Nitzschke earned a reputation for being a successful fund raiser long before he arrived in Cape Girardeau. He further demonstrated his ability to get money during the three years he served as president. With millions needed to make the university's River Campus a reality, it make sense to have a professional fund raiser to focus on this task.

Only half of the River Campus funding comes from taxpayers. Nitzschke's efforts at private fund raising will ultimately save taxpayers from footing the rest of the bill.

McCaskill also questioned Nitzschke's title as chancellor since he lives two states away. In this case, the title helps Nitzschke when he meets with potential donors. As far as the university is concerned, Nitzschke is the chief fund raiser for the River Campus project. He is a well-versed and passionate salesman. Have you heard his pitch? It's very persuasive.

McCaskill found more troubling contracts given to University of Missouri basketball coach Norm Stewart and Central Missouri State University president Ed Elliott. Those universities will have to justify these contracts.