COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

             

TO:                  Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

              

FROM:            Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                                                     

DATE:             November 15, 2018

 

                               

               The following measures are placed on the agenda for the November 20, 2018 Additional Legislative Meeting:

 

§  First Amendment to Employment Agreement of Mr. Ronald F. Mason, Jr., as President of the University of the District of Columbia Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2018

§  First Amendment to Employment Agreement of Mr. Ronald F. Mason, Jr., as President of the University of the District of Columbia Emergency Act of 2018

 

These measures are being introduced by me at the request of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Board of Trustees.  This legislation is necessary to approve a five-year extension – from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023 – of President Mason’s employment contract with UDC.  The UDC Board of Trustees approved this extension on September 26, 2018.  President Mason has been the President of UDC since July 6, 2015, and the Council approved President Mason’s first employment contract with UDC on June 30, 2015.  Under the five-year extension, President Mason is entitled to receive cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) awarded to non-union UDC employees.  As such, President Mason is entitled to the most recent fiscal year 2018 three percent COLA.  Any future COLAs will depend on the financial condition of the University.

 

               Over the past three years, UDC has made progress under President Mason’s leadership.  The University was reaccredited by the Mid-Atlantic Region Commission on Higher Education (Middle States) in June 2016 and received 11 commendations.  This was impressive, especially since there was concern prior to President Mason’s tenure that UDC may be placed on probationary status.  Additionally, under President Mason’s leadership, UDC has increased its fundraising, increased the number of first-time full-time students attending the flagship, and quelled the distrust between the University administration and faculty and staff.  President Mason has also brought much needed stability to the University.  Given his achievements, it is crucial that President Mason’s contract extension be approved in order to ensure strong, continued leadership of the University.

 

Legislation to approve Mr. Mason’s contract extension was previously noticed for the November 13^th legislative meeting.  However, the form was by resolution and action by act is required instead.