Faculty criticize Brand's leave

Several Bloomington Faculty Council members voiced concern at their meeting Tuesday over former IU president Myles Brand's six-year unpaid leave, which would allow him to eventually return and claim deferred compensation.\nBrand, who became president of the NCAA this year after announcing his resignation in September 2002, will be entitled to receive deferred compensation if he chooses to return to IU as a professor in the next six years.\nIf he returns, he could collect an estimated $300,000 from the University when he turns 65, money some BFC members say could be better spent. \nTrustees agreed in January to grant Brand the leave.\n"Has the University ever given anyone a six year leave?" asked BFC member Richard Nash at Tuesday's meeting.\nNormally, IU faculty are allowed up to two years' unpaid leave.\nWhile some faculty members said giving Brand a longer leave was unfair, IU spokesman Bill Stephan said this was a case where the trustees had "acted in a way that they felt was appropriate at the time."\n"I'm sure the trustees took into account President Brand's performance when they decided to offer him the deal," Stephan said. \nDean of the Faculties Moya Andrews said the arrangement may have been something that was part of the package offered to Brand when he was originally hired.\n"There's no rule that says there can't be more than two years' (unpaid leave), but that's what normally happens if it is in the best interests of the University," Andrews said. \n"In order to decide whether the whole compensation package the president receives -- salary, deferred compensation and other benefits -- you have to look at the packages being offered to other presidents in the Big 10," Andrews said.\nSome IU alumni also expressed concern over the deal.\n"Why are they giving him this money? Is the university just being nice?" asked IU Alumni Mark Thompson, owner of Thompson Furniture. "There is no reason this has to be done," he said.\nThompson also stressed that students and faculty should get involved in the matter. \n"I think part of the problem is that people aren't asking enough questions."\nThe Associated Press contributed to this report.