Florida Board of Governors set to confirm new UCF president

Dale Whittaker is set to clear the final hurdle to becoming the fifth president of the University of Central Florida today.

Nearly three weeks ago, the university’s Board of Trustees selected Whittaker, now the provost, over three other finalists for the top post.

But the appointment isn’t final without the blessing of the Board of Governors, which oversees the state university system. The board is meeting at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Whittaker, 56, is to succeed President John Hitt, who is retiring June 30 after 26 years on the job. Earlier this month, trustees chose Whittaker to lead the university over the other finalists, all of whom work at other institutions. In the weeks leading up to the decision, a search committee had whittled a pool of more than 40 applicants down to eight semifinalists, then to four finalists.

Before his hiring as provost at UCF in 2014, Whittaker was the vice provost and an associate dean at Purdue University.

After his selection, trustees approved a four-year contract with a base salary of $506,000 for Whittaker, similar to Hitt’s. He will have the third-highest salary in the state university system, behind the leaders of the University of Florida and Florida State University, based on data from the 2016-2017 fiscal year compiled by the Board of Governors.

Under state law, university presidents must not receive more than $200,000 in public funds. The rest must come from other sources, such as foundations.

Besides his salary, Whittaker will receive an $800-per-month car allowance, moving expenses and deferred compensation of 20 percent of his salary. He’s eligible for additional pay based on the university’s performance, including factors such as graduation rates, retention rates and donations.

Whittaker also is required by his contract to live in the Burnett House on the southwest corner of campus. UCF will provide staff to handle groundskeeping, repairs, housekeeping services and maintenance of the home, as well as cover all related expenses, including utilities.