Board Approves Salary Increases For Employees, Oldham, On Split Votes

The Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees approved salary increases for employees and President Phil Oldham on split votes Thursday.

Employees will receive a 1% raise across the board. They’re eligible for another 2% under TTU’s merit pay system.

Oldham will receive a 3% raise.

Discussion of both was heavy and resulted in a few voting against the proposed measures.

Trustee Melissa Geist is the faculty representative to the board.

“You know we have a $3 million deficit to make up, we have 19 people who have lost their jobs, we’re in a decreased enrollment situation we’re fighting back from, we just voted to increase tuition and fees and I just, I’m just wondering about the timing of a 3% raise for the president,” Geist said.

The state gave TTU a pool of money for salaries. How it was split was up to the university.

Oldham’s salary changes also eliminate an $8,500 car allowance and a $5,000 expense account. This year Oldham will earn $339,082.