ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
The Board of Trustees at the University of Central Florida have decided to give the university's president a raise, to the tune of an extra $26,500 a year.
John Hitt, 71, will now make $490,000 annually. The increase does not come from state funds or tuition, but rather from private donations to UCF.
The raise comes after an independent performance review in which Hitt received high marks for improved graduation rates, fundraising and SAT scores of incoming students.
"An independent review of Dr. Hitt's performance rated him as one of the most effective and productive university presidents in the country," said UCF spokesman Grant Heston. "Dr. Hitt and his leadership team are constantly focused on student achievement, faculty success and community partnerships."
Heston noted that Hitt has not had a base salary increase in six years and that the increase is a result of the president meeting specific goals and performance measures that hold him accountable to the Board of Trustees.
