UGA's Adams could earn $2 million in retirement

ATLANTA (AP) - State officials are considering paying retiring University of Georgia President Michael Adams more than $2 million over five years after he steps down from the helm of the state's flagship campus.

Under an agreement signed by Chancellor Hank Huckaby this week, Adams would get $660,000 per year for two years and $258,000 annually for three years. That's in addition to $600,000 in deferred compensation.

Adams announced Thursday he plans to retire next year and join the UGA faculty, where he will teach and write.

The agreement must gain approval from the state Board of Regents next week before it's official. Board chairman Ben Tarbutton said he believes the contract will be approved.

Tarbutton said the salary is meant to "celebrate" Adams' work.

Gov. Nathan Deal (R-Georgia) has no vote but agreed to weigh in on Saturday.

"Do you think it's excessive?" asked 11Alive's Jennifer Leslie.

"That's not a judgment call I can make," Gov. Deal said. "Everything is relative. If you look at the compensation package for people of equal stature in private industry, it would certainly be many more times greater than what we pay to those in the public arena." 

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