After all, presidents at all 10 of Utah's public colleges and universities — and Kendell — received approval for pay increases last June. Regents will be asking the 2006 Legislature that faculty, staff, including presidents, receive a 5 percent compensation increase.

The problem arises, Kendell said, when there is a search for a new president. Comparatively lower pay — like $142,800 — was cited as one reason it took almost two years to find a new SLCC chief.

The State Board of Regents, which oversees public higher education here — and handpicks presidents — has repeatedly said in recent years that below-average salaries have made searching for new presidents more difficult. Utah's public system has four newer presidents and a search is ongoing for a new Utah College of Applied Technology president.

"You're trying to attract a person with a really good reputation," Kendell said. "Some are willing to come for less just because they think the opportunity is a good one."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com