Western Kentucky University President Gary Ransdell is getting a 7 percent raise and another year on his contract. The universitys Board of Regents raised Ransdells salary to $175,776 during their meeting Friday, effective July 1. To date, this makes Ransdell the second highest paid university president among Kentuckys comprehensive universities those that offer only bachelor and masters degrees. The highest is Northern Kentucky Universitys President James Votrube, who currently makes $176,388. Regent Peggy Loafman of Bowling Green, chair of the Presidents Performance Appraisal Committee, said the board was pleased with the presidents overall performance and looks forward to another successful year. The board also approved a post-tenure review plan for faculty. Ransdell said the legislations intent was to provide an incentive for faculty to resist the temptation to relax after attaining tenure. This campus went through a very thorough self evaluation process, Ransdell said. In my opinion this is part of our ongoing faculty evaluation process which is stronger than any other. The regents also approved a $158.8 million operating budget for the next budget year, up 3.4 percent from the current year. The board also discussed the pros and cons of requiring freshmen who live on-campus to purchase mandatory meal plans to the tune of more than $1,400. Ransdell said proceeds would help pay for a new dining facility. Aramark, the private company that operates Westerns food services, is willing to invest in a restaurant on the south end of campus that would have a sports-bar type atmosphere similar to a TGI Fridays, Bennigans or OCharleys, he said. Aramark is willing to do that, he said. But they cant make a $3.3 million investment without knowing they can recover that debt. Ransdell said the decision should be made now so admission material printed during the summer will have accurate information. Anything that is mandatory is not wanted by the students, Cassie Martin, president of the Student Government Association, said. You dont have every option on the meal plans. You have to buy what is offered that day. Martin said meals were only offered at designated times. Most students cannot plan their schedules around 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., she said. Martin said she had been asked to speak out against the mandatory meal plan by the student body. Staff regent Joy Gramling said the board had raised several fees in the last year. I dont see why it is necessary to raise fees again for this mandatory meal plan, she said. The board did not act on the proposal.