Trustees give full support to president in annual review

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The University of Toledo Board of Trustees conducted its initial annual review of President Sharon L. Gaber today and voiced its full support of her leadership.

Board Chair Sharon Speyer said the president has made great progress on achieving the University’s strategic goals, and trustees look forward to continued success.

“When we think about what’s been accomplished in one year, I will speak for all of my colleagues: We are unanimously thrilled at the progress, but understand there is a lot of work that we need to do,” she said.

Gaber began her tenure as UT’s 17th president July 1, 2015, and has engaged the campus and broader community with her leadership, Speyer said.

Specifically, the UT Board of Trustees commended the president on the first enrollment increase at the University in six years and an increase in fundraising with 11 percent more dollars raised in the past year.

Speyer also noted administrative efficiencies taken to merge colleges and consolidate leadership positions, and that the president has put together an exceptional leadership team.

The accomplishments noted by the board align with the five strategic goals Gaber laid out for the institution when she joined UT:

• Raise UT’s national status by recognizing the tremendous achievements of faculty, researchers, clinicians and students;

• Increase student enrollment and ensure students are better prepared;

• Expand externally funded research so UT may continue to make gains in developing new knowledge in multiple fields;

• Grow philanthropic support for student scholarships, faculty endowments, updated facilities and other University initiatives; and

• Reduce administrative expenses to improve UT’s financial standing.

As part of the performance review, the board voted to give Gaber a 2 percent raise that she asked to be deferred until January in line with the actions of her senior leadership team when the fiscal year 2017 budget was adopted in June. The trustees also approved a performance incentive of 20 percent of her salary.

Speyer said that selecting the president and evaluating that leadership are among the most important roles for the trustees, and they take the responsibility seriously.

“On behalf of all of us, I want to thank you. This is very well-deserved,” Speyer told the president.

Trustees echoed those comments with “ditto,” and Board Vice Chair Steven Cavanaugh said, “Great first year.”