U. of Iowa Foundation OK’d Payments to President’s Spouse

An arrangement for the husband of the University of Iowa president’s to be paid $54,000 a year in private donations for attending school events was sanctioned by leaders of the university’s foundation, reports the Quad-City Times.

The payments to Ken Mason were agreed to as part of the hiring process of his wife, Sally Mason, in 2007, but were not included in writing or publicly disclosed, the paper reports. Ms. Mason agreed to take the position as president under the condition that her husband be given a part-time job teaching biology at the university and spend the other half of his time as a fundraiser by her side—a role for which he would be compensated.

Mr. Mason earns an additional $53,000 as a part-time lecturer; the foundation pays $72,000 a year toward his salary and benefits. The pay deal was reported earlier this month by the Des Moines Register and is unique in Iowa, where the wives of the state’s two other university presidents do not get paid for similar work.