Former CHSBS Dean Pamela Gates received about $300,000 through separation agreement with CMU
CHSBS Dean Pam Gates (Courtesy Photo/University Communications)
On Sept. 12, Central Michigan University announced that College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Science Dean Pamela Gates would retire effective Jan. 15.
Five days before University Communications released that announcement, Gates and the university arrived at an agreement that would provide her with about $300,000 in compensation. Central Michigan Life received a copy of the separation agreement from the university after filing a Michigan Freedom of Information Act request.
Gates was named CMU Woman of the Year in 2011. She was appointed CHSBS dean in 2011 after serving as interim dean in 2007 and from 2009-2010. She was associate dean from 2001-2009 and prior to that was an English faculty member for more than 10 years.
CMU agreed to give Gates a lump sum payment of $204,000, or the equivalent of a full year’s salary. She also was paid $6,885 or the equivalent of what the university would have paid toward her annual health insurance contribution.
Gates received $20,400, or 10 percent of her base salary that she would have received as an annual retirement benefit, as a final contribution made directly to her retirement account.
As consideration for her “irrevocable relinquishment of any rights flowing from her grant of tenure as faculty in the English Department,” CMU paid her an additional $68,000. She was also eligible to receive additional compensation for vacation pay — up to 160 hours.
Gates earned bachelor's and master's degrees in English language and literature from CMU. Her doctoral degree is from Michigan State University.
CMU agreed to respond to all requests by stating dates of employment and positions held. The separation agreement also stated that Gates would be provided with a statement regarding her employment at the university and the contributions she made while she was an employee issued on CMU letterhead indicating her separation was a retirement, signed by Provost Michael Gealt.
"We are grateful for the academic leadership that Dean Gates has provided CMU for more than three decades," Gealt said in the University Communications press release. "Her impact will continue through the programs, scholarships and the endowed professorships, chair positions and speaker series she helped to create. We wish her the best in her retirement."
As part of confidentiality, Gates agreed to not disclose any information relative to CMU's trade secrets, commercial or financial information.
CMU and Gates both agreed that "neither party shall by oral or written expression or any other act of communication to any third party disparage, criticize or impugn the reputation or character" of Gates or CMU officials and employees.
Marcy Taylor has served as interim CHSBS dean. Gealt said at the Feb. 27 Academic Senate meeting that applications for the permanent position are being received and the search process is moving forward.
