ECC's president gets 5 percent 'retention incentive'

Elgin Community College President David Sam isn't up for his annual raise until July.

But Tuesday night, the board of trustees added another sort of pay bump into his contract.

As a reward for staying at the college, Sam will be paid a retention incentive equal to 5 percent of his base salary each year, starting May 1.

With a salary of $194,779, this year's incentive works out to be $9,738.95. Sam will also recieve retroactive retention incentives for the previous two years he has served at the college, based on his base salary in each of those years. Together, those incentives total $27,720.20.

Trustees approved the amendment with a 5-1 vote. Robert Getz voted against the move. Phyllis Folarin was absent.

Board Chairwoman Eleanor MacKinney, of Hampshire, said Wednesday that the move is a first for the college.

"We had not done this before. But we've never had this kind of president," she said.

The board credits Sam with keeping the college's tuition rate steady at $91 per credit hour for the past several years, for pushing to get a $178 million referendum approved by voters last April, and for increasing enrollment to 12,400 students.

"Not retaining a president is expensive," MacKinney said. It's time consuming. It will create a gap in our leadership. We want to ensure his leadership. ... Dr. Sam receives lots of recruitment offers. He is a sought after commodity and he has made a commitment to this college to move it from good to great."

Missing millions from the state, many suburban elementary and secondary school districts have spent the spring slashing their budgets.

ECC, not as heavily dependent on the state, has not had to make any reductions, staff layoffs or pay freezes.

Sam has been at ECC since February 2007. Before that, he was president of North Harris College in Texas.

Last May, trustees approved a 5.5-percent pay raise and contract extension for Sam, the second in his three-year tenure. His contract will come up again for a vote July 1, MacKinney said.

Sam's total compensation this year is more than $270,000. Sam receives a $18,500 annual housing allowance and $10,000 annual annuity; a $500 monthly car allowance for business and personal use; and a $1,000 monthly stipend for business expenses. The college provides Sam with a college-owned computer and printer for his home office and a cell phone.

His contract expires in 2014.

Communications officials at the college said Wednesday that Sam would be unable to comment.