Leadership by example

For weathering the tough economic year with confidence and exceptional leadership, FGCU President Wilson G. Bradshaw gets nothing - and it was his idea.

Bradshaw declined an annual salary increase and bonus, to which he was entitled under his contract, because of the current economic climate.

His decision to forgo those benefits will save the university an estimated $76,275, according to Susan Evans, university spokeswoman.

During Tuesday's Board of Trustees meeting, members backed Bradshaw's decision.

The board agreed unanimously that Bradshaw's performance was satisfactory, then voted to support his decision to forgo his awards.

In his annual self-evaluation, Bradshaw included a memo to the Board of Trustees in which he explained his decision. "… Given FGCU's current budget challenges and the ensuing inability to provide salary increases and bonuses for our deserving employees, I would respectfully decline a salary increase and performance bonus for my 2008-09 evaluation should the board wish to make these awards," Bradshaw said in the memo.

Bradshaw's contract allows for an annual salary increase of 5 percent and a bonus of up to $60,000.

Last year, Bradshaw received a 5 percent salary increase and a $35,000 bonus after being in the president's position for only seven months.

His total earnings for 2007-08 were $360,500, including his bonus and a salary increase of $15,500. That salary increase and bonus came after the board decided Bradshaw "met or exceeded" his performance goals, according to Evans.

Bradshaw's salary for 2009-10 will remain at $325,000, even though his contract could have called for him to make $341,775 - without the possible $60,000 performance bonus.

The community has been voicing opinions on Bradshaw's decision via newspaper editorials and comments, Evans said. "President Bradshaw has received very positive reactions to his decision … given the dire budget situation and our inability to provide salary increases or bonuses to our deserving FGCU faculty and staff," Evans said in an e-mail statement.

The economy also has had a "negative impact on development efforts," Bradshaw said in his evaluation.

Private donations to the university have dropped. In 2006-07, the university received $30 million in private funding. In 2008-09, the amount was $21 million. The original $8.5 million approved by the state to go toward the construction of the solar field project was reduced to $7.5 million. In order to complete the project, the university will need a private partner to match the state money.

Despite the cuts, one of Bradshaw's goals was to end the year with a balanced budget. His evaluation said he achieved that.

"Despite state budget reductions, FGCU will end the 2009 fiscal year with a reduced but balanced budget," the performance evaluation states. Katie McCann, a junior majoring in criminal forensics, said Bradshaw sets a good example. "I think he's making a huge statement to the university," McCann said. Brittney Bartling, a grad student, is surprised by Bradshaw's decision.

"It shows that he cares about the school, students, staff, and faculty," she said. Bradshaw said he was gratified with the trustees' evaluation of his performance and supportive comments.

"I sincerely wish that all could receive monetary recognition for their hard work. However, in this very austere fiscal environment, that is simply not possible," Bradshaw said.