Trustees approve Daniels’ at-risk pay

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Friday (Oct. 7) reviewed the 2021-22 performance evaluation for President Mitch Daniels and voted to approve his at-risk pay at 98%, based on measures set out by trustees in February 2021.

Trustees congratulated Daniels and the university’s faculty, staff and students for their efforts and achievements over the past year.

“As we have seen over and over through these past 10 years, President Daniels and the entire campus community continue to exceed the goals we set out for them,” said Malcolm DeKryger, chair of the board’s Compensation Committee. “We thank each and every one for their persistence, their innovative thinking and their commitment to making Purdue among the top higher education institutions in the world.”

Daniels’ salary, one of few in higher education using an at-risk formula, is based on weighted performance goals in four areas: student affordability (20%), student success (30%), fundraising (20%) and operations (30%). In the past eight years, Daniels has received 89%, 103%, 100%, 88%, 90%, 96%, 95% and 108% of his at-risk pay. 

2021-22 saw continued improvement in time to degree, now at 3.91 years, and an increase in the systemwide number of degrees annually awarded to 11,952. The average debt per undergraduate student also dropped to $3,268. In addition, Purdue exceeded its fundraising goals for student support, with $151 million, and net production, with $542 million. Research productivity also exceeded its goal, with $768 million. 

DeKryger said Daniels earned 98% of his at-risk pay this year with 20% (out of 20 possible) in student affordability measures, 26% (of 30) in student-success measures, 26% (of 20) in fundraising and 26% (of 30) in operations.

Daniels reached or exceeded the goal in 12 of the 17 metrics that make up his at-risk pay, which has been reviewed annually. Many of the results were at record levels. In every case, DeKryger said, trustees have continued to raise the bar, including goals for increased graduation rates, lower undergraduate debt and additional philanthropic support.

In addition to his guaranteed pay of $430,000, which, at Daniels’ request, was set lower than his predecessor’s, Daniels will receive $210,700 in at-risk funds for his outstanding performance in 2021-22.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.