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New Michigan State diversity director gets $315k salary, $700/month car allowance

It’s a great gig — if you can get it.

Michigan State University’s new vice president/chief diversity and inclusion officer (CDO), Jabbar Bennett, was offered a cool $315,000 per year salary, as well as a $700 “monthly vehicle allowance,” according to The State News

Bennett actually will earn just under $300,000 between his start date of December 1 through June 30, however, due to COVID-related “financial strain[s].”

(That car allowance, by the way, is a “usual benefit” given to MSU vice presidents according to the contract.)

Bennett also gets a $25,000 signing bonus “in lieu of reimbursement of moving expenses,” and “upon request” two free tickets to any MSU football, men’s basketball and/or men’s hockey game (if available). (He must reimburse the school for the full signing bonus if he leaves his position before one year’s time.)

The new CDO’s duties include working with MSU officials to develop “diversity, equity and inclusion” plans, “designing delivery education and training programs” and being involved in various hiring processes.

Professor Bennett will be an “at will” employee, meaning he serves at the discretion of MSU President Samuel Stanley Jr. and can be dismissed at any time “without notice or reason.”

From the story:

There is a possibility that Bennett could be appointed as a fixed-term professor in the department of medicine in the College of Human Medicine. He would not have any faculty responsibilities while serving as the CDO if he is appointed. …

If Bennett does leave the position as vice president and chief diversity officer, he will be given a six-month research leave. His salary during the research leave will remain the same rate it was when the leave started.

After the research leave, Bennett will become a fixed-term professor on a 3-year term. His salary as a professor will be an average of the 10 highest paid professors in the College of Human Medicine. The university will allocate funds to the department of medicine to cover Bennett’s salary. However, if he is terminated for violations of university policy, local, state or federal laws then he will not be given either of these options.

Read the full contract:

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