Sept. 10--California State University will pay former San Jose State President Mohammad Qayoumi a one-year "transition salary" of $261,000 amid criticism from a faculty group that such executive perks would be better invested in students and faculty.
Qayoumi resigned his post Aug. 17 after four years to become an unpaid chief advisor to the president of Afghanistan, his home country.
Under the deal, which is effective through Aug. 17, 2016, Qayoumi would also make himself available to provide advice to interim San Jose State President Susan Martin and to consult with Chancellor Timothy P. White and other Cal State executives.
Details were provided Wednesday during a meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The transition program has been offered in various forms since 1992 and generally requires executives to have served for five years and be in good standing.
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A 2007 state audit questioned the program's transparency and recommended that Cal State enhance reporting requirements.
Transition salaries generally are calculated using base pay and other university pay scales, according to officials.
As San Jose State president, Qayoumi earned $371,072 annually, including $346,072 in state-funded pay and a $25,000 supplement from the campus foundation.
The California Faculty Assn. has long criticized the program and other perks, asserting that executives were not subject to the same deprivations suffered by faculty, staff and students during the recession.
The faculty union and CSU administration is currently in mediation talks to resolve a new contract, with faculty demanding a 5% pay hike and CSU offering a 2% increase.
"They are effectively paying people who don't work for the university anymore under the guise of advisement," said Jennifer Eagan, president of the faculty group and a professor at Cal State East Bay. "And the parting gift to Qayoumi in particular is rewarding failure instead of success."
Qayoumi's tenure at San Jose State was marked by several controversies, including a failed collaboration to provide online classes, a no-bid contract to upgrade technology and allegations that an African American student was racially harassed at the hands of some of his white roommates.
But Qayoumi, an engineer by training, was also lauded for forging strong ties with Silicon Valley employers.
Cal State officials said the transition program offers the system a valuable resource.
"It's designed to leverage the expertise of very experienced leaders who know the system," spokeswoman Laurie Weidner said. "Especially with Mo, he has a financial background and an area of expertise that will be available to help others on other issues."
Qayoumi could not be reached for comment.
Cal State trustees are considering new compensation guidelines for all employees that would take into account campus location, enrollment, budget and research funding as well as experience and skill set.
One proposal would also lift current restrictions on pay raises for new campus presidents that include a freeze on compensation paid with state funds while allowing a 10% increase from private donations.
Trustees are scheduled to vote on the proposal at a future meeting.
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