ENMU approves president raise

PORTALES — Regents approved a 4% cost-of-living raise this month for Portales’ Eastern New Mexico University President and Chancellor Jeff Elwell, in keeping with identical percentage compensation increases for all university employees.

In their June 1 board meeting ENMU regents voted 4-1 to raise Elwell’s annual salary from $245,000 to $254,800, with student regent Joseph Gergel voting against. Gergel did not respond to requests from The News for comment on his vote. Regents approved the 4% cost of living increase for other employees this year prior to June’s meeting.

“The board evaluated President Elwell and went over the evaluation with him, along with goals,” Regent and Curry County Manager Lance Pyle told The News. “I felt that he should be entitled to the same cost of living increase as the other employees at (ENMU).”

Elwell is evaluated annually and his contract is through June 30, 2021, Pyle added. Elwell started at a $230,000 salary and the board of regents increased it to $245,000 in June 2018.