COD President's Contract Extended Until 2016

Robert Breuder, president of the College of DuPage, saw his contract extended to 2016 by COD’s Board of Trustees at their July 12 meeting.

Joseph Moore, COD’s associate vice president of external relations, said Brueder has a “rolling extension” clause in his contract. This allows Breuder to approach the trustees and ask for a year extension on his contract, subject to the board’s approval.

Since coming to COD in 2009, Breuder has expanded the College of DuPage in a number of ways, Moore said. Under his leadership, the college has added more than 20 academic programs and $168 million worth of construction.

“In every sense, it has expanded considerably, except spending,” Moore said. “We’ve become more robust in every area in every offering. At the same time, we’ve maintained an unparalleled fiscal house with conservative budgeting”

Trustee Chairman David Carlin also praised Breuder for his leadership and financial stewardship.

“For him in tough financial conditions to be able to put more money into that rainy day fund, those reserves, is a huge accomplishment,” Carlin said.

Carlin also approved of the way Breuder’s “steady hand” on managing COD’s various construction projects.

These construction projects have been a source of controversy between the college and the Village of Glen Ellyn. The college and the village are currently debating who has jurisdiction on the college campus, as it relates to issuing occupancy permits.

At their May 24 meeting, the COD’s Board of Trustees charged Breuder with pursing the de-annexation of the college from the village. Brueder himself has described the relationship between Glen Ellyn and COD as a failed marriage.

Breuder, however, has also faced criticism for his role at COD. At a June 6 village board meeting, a number of Glen Ellyn residents criticized Breuder, suggesting that he is the problem between the village and the college.

Carlin said people’s criticism of Breuder is displaced and wrong, as Breuder takes direction from the board of trustees. 

Breuder’s career in higher education stretches back four decades. He began as a botany instructor at Paul Smith’s College in New York in 1967. Before coming to COD in 2009, he was the president of William Rainey Harper College in Palatine for 11 years.

COD attorney Kenneth Florey said Breuder’s salary did not change with the contract extension. As of July 2, Breuder receives a base salary of $274,070, but he also receives at least $75,000 worth of benefits and other forms of compensation, such as a cell phone and a housing allowance.