Sec. 1 Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to set forth the philosophy of the U.T. System in establishing compensation for Highly Compensated Personnel, the factors to be utilized in making such compensation decisions, and the process to ensure accountability and transparency in such decisions.
Sec. 2 Principles
In establishing compensation for Highly Compensated Personnel of the U.T. System, the U.T. System will:
Ensure the amounts of compensation are reasonable and in the best interests of the U.T. System and its institutions;
Ensure such personnel are adequately and equitably compensated in recognition of their duties and responsibilities, their performance, and their knowledge, skills and experience; and
Ensure the process to make compensation decisions is objective and transparent and encompasses appropriate accountability for decision makers and that adequate documentation is maintained for supporting the reasonableness of the compensation paid.
Sec. 3 Compensation of Highly Compensated Personnel
To accomplish its mission, the U.T. System must attract, retain, recognize, and reward the performance of high-quality, dedicated personnel of competence and distinction. The U.T. System will seek to compensate top Highly Compensated Personnel at levels that are competitive in the marketplace, cost effective, and to the extent possible, internally equitable. The compensation of Highly Compensated Personnel will be set in such a way that the public will understand that the level of compensation is reasonable based on relevant information used in making the compensation decision.
3.1 Process. An institution needing to attract, retain, or reward Highly Compensated Personnel will establish and document a process for use in setting the appropriate level of compensation. A copy of the institution's process will be included in the institution's Handbook of Operating Procedures.
3.2 Initial Compensation. The process for setting and documenting the appropriate level of initial compensation of Highly Compensated Personnel will include, as a minimum, the factors listed below:
a) the nature of the duties of the position, including level of responsibility;
b) the need and strategic value of the organization for the services of the person whose compensation is being determined;
c) the person's relevant background, experience, knowledge in the field, accomplishments, salary history, and time devoted to the organization;
d) the person's contributions to the organization's goals, objectives, and success;
e) the levels of compensation paid to comparable positions at institutions or organizations in the marketplace;
f) the nature of the organization, i.e., its purpose, size, and complexity; and
g) the relationship to the compensation of other personnel.
3.3 Adjustments to Compensation. The above factors will be included in making adjustments to the compensation of Highly Compensated Personnel, as appropriate, depending on the nature of the adjustment.
Sec. 4 Approval of Compensation for Highly Compensated Personnel
4.1 Board of Regents' Approval. The Board of Regents must approve the compensation of Highly Compensated Personnel of the U.T. System and its institutions as required by Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, Rule 20204.
4.2 Institutional Recommendations. Employing institutions will submit recommendations for Total Annual Compensation of $1,000,000 or more to the appropriate Executive Vice Chancellor. Recommendations will include a summary of the information required by Section 3 above. For individuals with recommendations for Total Annual Compensation equal to or greater than $2,000,000, a third-party analysis is required unless waived by the appropriate Executive Vice Chancellor. The Executive Vice Chancellors will coordinate with the Chancellor any recommendations requiring Board of Regents' approval.
Sec. 5 Compensation Records
Appropriate records will be maintained to document compensation decisions of Highly Compensated Personnel.
5.1 Institutional Records. U.T. System institutions will maintain a record of how the recommendation for total annual compensation of Highly Compensated Personnel was derived. Included in the record will be all documents or extracts thereof that support the recommendation, e.g., salary surveys, records of achievement, etc. The presidents of the institutions will designate a central location at which such records will be kept.
5.2 Executive Vice Chancellor Records. The appropriate Executive Vice Chancellors will maintain the recommendations and supporting information used to set the total annual compensation of Highly Compensated Personnel.
Sec. 6 Application
This policy does not apply to the compensation of the Chancellor, presidents and key executives for whom the compensation setting process is covered by Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, Rules 20202 Cash Compensation for Chief Administrative Officers and/or 20203 Compensation for Key Executives.
Definitions
Highly Compensated Personnel - personnel of the U.T. System and its institutions whose Total Annual Compensation is, or may exceed, $1 million in any year and who are not covered in Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, Rule 20203.
Total Annual Compensation - includes an employee’s salary or wages, practice plan supplements, incentive plan payments, and unpaid deferred compensation and excludes employer-provided insurance, expense allowances, employer contributions to Teachers Retirement System of Texas and Optional Retirement Program, longevity pay, and other fringe benefits.
