Schools
UF Trustees Applying Pressure To Make Interim Leader Permanent
If the temporary leader of the University of Florida does not become its formal leader, the school owes him $2 million.
September 9, 2025
If the temporary leader of the University of Florida does not become its formal leader, the school owes him $2 million.
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That’s what the UF Board of Trustees proposed in a contract yet to be approved by the Florida Board of Governors.
Donald Landry, a Columbia University medical researcher and professor, was revealed as the university’s interim leader last month. His first day was Sept. 1, although his employment awaits final approval from the Board of Governors this week.
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Landry’s contract would expire on Aug. 31, 2026.
If the Board of Governors approves the contract, UF will owe Landry $2 million in “severance” pay if he is not eventually named the formal president. Landry’s base salary for the coming year is $2 million with a $500,000 performance incentive.
The position is open after former UF President Ben Sasse resigned and after the governors rejected former University of Michigan President Santa Ono as his successor. In the meantime, former UF President Kent Fuchs has been serving as interim president.
Despite his rejection, the UF Board of Trustees and its chair, Mori Hosseini, stood by Ono’s qualifications and candidacy.
Ono had been offered a $3 million contract.
If the governors reject UF trustees’ pick this time, there is a price tag attached to it.
For comparison, Florida International University President Jeanette Nuñez did not have that provision in her interim president contract. Nuñez was widely viewed as the likely the formal president, so much so that one trustee questioned the need for a search.
University of West Florida interim President Manny Diaz Jr. will be entitled to 20 weeks of severance pay if he does not complete his contract. He has expressed interest in the permanent job.
Landry’s contract also lists “key duties” of appointing a provost and interim deans and to “commit to working with Florida and Federal DOGE to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.”
Five of 16 dean positions are open at the university, and Landry views the lack of formal leadership a “major issue facing the university at this time,” The Gainesville Sun reported.
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