University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear’s administrative leave will be extended until the internal review of the Athletic Department is finished, according to an email sent by President Chuck Staben.
“Because this work is important to all of us — most importantly as it relates to the safety of our students — Rob Spear’s administrative leave is being extended until the review is done and reviewed and a decision on his employment status is made,” Staben wrote in the email.
Rob Spear
UI Director of Communications Jodi Walker said the leave of absence will continue to be paid, and will last as long as it takes for external consultants Patricia Olsson and Dan Bebee to fully examine the Athletic Department.
Spear was first put on a 60-day paid administrative leave April 3. His leave was set to expire June 4.
According to UI Faculty and Exempt Salaries, Spear will earn $193,024 during the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Spear will earn $31,729 during his initial 60-day leave.
Because Spear will still be paid during the extended leave, he will earn $528 for every day the internal review continues, if his salary remains constant into the next fiscal year.
“The goal of the review is to better understand how we managed sexual assault allegations in the past and to help university leadership make improvements going forward to ensure the safety and well-being of our students,” Staben wrote.
The news comes six days after the Idaho State Board of Education announced Staben will leave the university June 2019.