"We can't offer them more than they could make elsewhere, but we can offer them at least as much," Kendell said. "We've got to at least be in the game."

Salary increases are the top priority for the regents during every legislative session, he said. Each session, salaries are negotiated not just for administration but for faculty members.

"We have some outstanding administrators, scholars and educators," he said. "Replacing them would be difficult."

He expects it to take at least another year or two to be close to or at the national average.

"Our intent is to get at market value and close the gap," Kendell said. "We're getting closer over time, but we're not there yet."

William A. Sederburg, president at UVSC, is getting the largest increase among the presidents this year, a 7 percent raise to $181,216. According to the regents, that raise reflects the school's change to university status.

Other presidents who got 5 percent raises were Weber State University's F. Ann Millner, who will earn $182,592; College of Eastern Utah President Ryan L. Thomas, with $137,713; Salt Lake Community College President Cynthia A. Bioteau, at $184,748; and Utah College of Applied Technology President Robert O. Brems, earning $139,125. A new president, who has yet to be chosen for Snow College, will get $137,713.

Dixie State College President Lee Caldwell and Southern Utah University President Michael T. Benson will be getting a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment, which was the minimum recommended by the state Legislature earlier this year. Caldwell's salary will be increased to $155,328, while Benson will be making $181,125. Both presidents are fairly new to the institutions they serve and were able to negotiate a higher salary when they were appointed, Kendell said.

The commissioner will be getting an 8 percent increase, bringing his salary from $185,750 to $200,610.

"His achievements this year have been outstanding," said the regents' chairman, Jed Pitcher.

Approval of the new salaries was delegated to the Board of Regents Executive Committee after the group as a whole ran out of time at its regularly scheduled board meeting earlier this month. The new pay rates take effect July 1 and reflect earnings for the upcoming fiscal year.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com