Save Brand's post, not pay

An unusual six-year leave allows former IU president Myles Brand to return and collect an estimated $300,000 in deferred compensation. University policy typically allows for a two-year leave and why this exception was made is unclear. This is $300,000 that could be spent in better ways.\nBrand left on his own accord, choosing to jump to the head position at NCAA, leaving the University with little time to find an interim replacement. He left of his own accord and should understand that he's giving up his claim to any accrued retirement or benefits plan.\nBrand's predecessor, Cedric Dempsey, earned over $700,000 a year from the NCAA, so its safe to assume that Brand is earning at least that much. IU paid him well while he was here (a little over $300,000 a year), so why is IU giving him the equivalent of another year's salary while he's not even here? The money should go to current IU programs, not former ones.\nIf this leave of absence was put in place so that Brand could return to teach after his term with the NCAA, then it would be justifiable to grant it to him. But the likelihood of Brand returning for a lower-paying professor's salary is unlikely, unless to merely collect the money that would be owed him. Let Brand have his leave, but the money should be returned to IU.\nThis eventual compensation also raises some conflict of interest questions that should be addressed. Brand oversees the nation's top collegiate sports authority, so is it possible that the IU trustees are keeping this money in the bank, hoping for some clout with the new NCAA president? True, he would have to leave the NCAA before that time and return, but the timing is rather convenient. Brand's contract with the NCAA runs through 2007, the same year that he may return to IU and be eligible to collect this money. \nGranted, the money could be there as a sort of thank you to a man that worked hard during his seven-year tenure to raise the quality and reputation of IU. He certainly took on some rough issues for the University, but is that enough to warrant extra compensation? Isn't the fact that his position at IU got him the (much higher paying) job at the NCAA compensation enough?\nThe $300,000 that Brand is scheduled to receive in 2007, should he return, could be used in ways that would better support the University. One such plan would be to use the money to complete one of Brand's uncompleted goals: raise professors' salaries to No. 4 in the Big Ten. Another possibility would be to use the money for scholarships; $300,000 could go a long way towards helping needy students cope with increased tuition. IU is also currently looking for a new leader. This money could be used to pay the increased salary the new president is slated to receive.\nIn a time when IU is facing increased expenses, throwing money around so recklessly is not a good idea in trying to portray itself as desperate in the eyes of legislators. This is a time of economic turmoil for IU and it needs to be careful with its money, investing it in long-term goals that will benefit the University, not holding money for someone who may or may not come back. Brand should have the same opportunities as everyone else (two years), but any more is unnecessary. \n-- Jason Gaddis for the Editorial Board