James E. Ryan could receive more than a million dollars a year as the University of Virginia’s president.
Ryan’s seven-year contract will make him one of the highest-compensated university presidents and state employees in Virginia when he takes over for Teresa A. Sullivan next summer.
However, there is little oversight of Ryan’s perks and outside activities provided in the contract’s terms.
“There are many clauses that are favorable to the president more than to the institution, especially if problems arise,” said Jim Finkelstein, a professor emeritus at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, after reviewing Ryan’s contract.
