Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Jordan has asked Chancellor James Oblinger to review the contract of former provost Larry Nielsen which would continue to pay Nielsen half of his $298,700 yearly salary over the next six months while “he is preparing himself to resume his faculty responsibilities” according to a release from the University.

“This type of transition package is widely used in academia,” Jordan said, “but these are extraordinary budgetary times.  I am asking the chancellor to review the contract to ensure compliance with university policies, rules and regulations.”

Interim Provost Warwick Arden could not be reached for comment on the matter. Arden is in Australia until June 18.

Human Resources would not release further information about Nielsen’s employment contract and directed inquiries to Keith Nichols, director of news and communications for the University. Nichols was out of the office and could not be reached for comment.

The News & Observer reports Nielsen, who will return to the teaching faculty, will make $156,000 when the leave ends and he returns to teaching in late November.