NIU President John La Tourette received a 3.5 percent pay increase at the last Board of Regents meeting.

The increase was La Tourette’s first in two years and brought his salary to $112,116, up from $108,325.

Regents Chancellor Assistant Cheryl Peck said that some people might criticize the raise because of the tight economic situation in the state, but she said it is very much deserved.

“La Tourette has had to deal with great difficulties and he has tried to improve the campus environment. He has dealt with the economic problems by finding a way to give faculty raises through reallocation. He has been a very impressive leader,” Peck said.

The Regents expressed regret at not being able to increase La Tourette’s salary to the national median for university presidents, which is $118,000.

While La Tourette has not had a raise in his base salary in two years, he did receive a retirement annuity between $8,000 and $9,000 last year.

The annuity followed a favorable five-year evaluation of the president conducted by an outside consulting firm.

Peck said the annuity was an award for five good years of service.

La Tourette was one of three presidents receiving the 3.5 percent raises. The others were Naomi Lynn of Sangamon State University in Springfield and Thomas Wallace of Illinois State University in Normal.

La Tourette’s and Wallace’s salaries are equal while Lynne, who has only been president one year, is at $108,325.

Money for the increases will come out of each university’s personal service line.

Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves requested he not receive a raise due to the tight budget of the Chancellor’s office. His present salary is $127,740.

Groves did receive a $300 offset because of increased medical costs.