UI Foundation OKed Fundraising Deal; Says Former Interim UI President Helped Coordinate It

The University of Iowa Foundation says they OKed a deal for fundraising pay for the husband of University of Iowa president, which has come under structiny.

In a statement today, the foundation added clarification to the origin of . Lynette L. Marshall, president and CEO of the UI Foundation, said former interim UI President Gary Fethke helped coordinate the original deal.

"(He) called me to his office and indicated that the members of the Board of Regents who were negotiating with Dr. Sally Mason on her employment package asked that Dr. Kenneth Mason be employed as a half time fundraiser at a salary of $50,000 plus benefits," according to a statement from Marshall, released today by the Foundation.

"Dr. Fethke indicated that Dr. Mason’s other half-time employment would be in the Department of Biology. He encouraged me to agree to the request and I indicated that I would speak with my board chair and get back to him," she said.

"After conferring with Chuck Kierscht, UI Foundation Board Chair and Doug True, UI Senior VP and Treasurer, the UI Foundation agreed that we would provide the salary support requested for Ken Mason," she said.

Kierscht said in the statement that the purpose of the Foundation is supporting the university and that after conferring decided "we would be pleased to provide the requested support."

Critics have questioned the $54,000 a year Dr. Ken Mason is earning for half-time fundraising work. The wives of the presidents at University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University do not get paid, and some have alleged nepotism.

Thus far, some questions have been answered while others have not.

The Foundation provided many pieces of information in response to a Des Moines Register records request. However, the Register reports other records sought have been declined by the Foundation.

Sally Mason had declined interviews on the topic until providing new information during an Iowa City Press-Citizen online forum on Wednesday. The Iowa Board of Regents have defended the deal, but have also said they won't discuss the contract.