relator evolution: Jensen begins as president of Henry Ford Community College

DEARBORN ? Stan Jensen has started work as Henry Ford Community College?s fifth president.

Jensen officially started at the college May 1, although he is gone most of this week to finish packing in Colorado.

HFCC gave Jensen a three-year contract, running until June 30, 2016. He will earn a base salary of $181,000 for the first year, and ?any subsequent increases to base salary at the discretion of the board.?

His pay is slightly less than outgoing President Gail Mee received, college board President Pamela Adams said.

?It?s difficult times. He did agree to quite a few concessions. He is making less than he did out in Colorado. Part of that is cost of living differences,? Adams said.

Jensen previously served as president of Colorado Mountain College, but resigned there in December over what he has said were differences with the newly-elected board. The college is being sued over a controversial deal to allow SourceGas to build a natural gas compression station on a remote bit of college property.?

In Dearborn, Jensen?s new contract includes a provision that would allow the board to terminate him ?without cause? and pay only 12 months salary or until the end of his contract, whichever is shorter.

?We hope that never happens, but our lawyer, in particular, was more comfortable with a shorter buyout,? Adams said.

Jensen?s contract can be renewed every year. By June 2015 the board has to let him know if it plans to keep him beyond June 2016.

HFCC will also contribute to an Optional Retirement Plan for Jensen, as well as putting $10,000 a year in a tax-sheltered annuity for him. Also, the college will provide him a leased car and gas credit card, but he is responsible for reimbursing the college for gas for personal use. Continued...

In addition, he can spend up to $700 a month to cover expenses related to professional obligations, but has to provide documentation showing how the money was spent. He can also be reimbursed for memberships in service and community organizations the board deems appropriate.

Jensen will receive 38 personal days a year and can accumulate up to 30 days, and he can be reimbursed for up to $12,500 in moving expenses, according to the 12-page contract posted on the college?s website.

Jensen also has to tell the board before he does any outside work, such as consulting. He has authored three books on leadership and team building, and also founded his own consulting firm.

The college will also provide him the same insurance coverage other administrators receive.

Mee?s total compensation for fiscal year 2011 was listed as $209,952 in the college?s required transparency reporting. That figure includes benefits.

She will officially work at the college until June 30, and has been covering things like graduation, finance committee meetings and a second auditor?s review of bad student debt, Adams said.

?She?s still going to be around, but he is now the president,? Adams said.

?We all wish her well and are grateful for what she did do for the college while she was here. She did do some great things that will last for a long time,? Adams added.

Jensen, who will be back before the May 15 Adray Golf Tournament, was very understanding of the college?s financial limits right now, Adams said.

?He was agreeable and that sent a message to us how much he really wanted to come here,? she said. Continued...