University defends Limbaugh's yearlong pay

An official from the Montana University System said former Montana State University-Northern chancellor James Limbaugh being paid until June of next year is part of a contractual obligation.

“Essentially when we enter a contract with someone, we are obligated to them until the end of the contract,” said Kevin McRae, deputy commissioner for communications and human resources.

McRae said that if someone resigns with the support of the the university system, they will be paid for the remainder of their contract and that in Limbaugh’s contract, the university system was required to honor his contract in such an event.

Limbaugh had the support of his superiors in his decision to resign, otherwise, he would have been less likely to be paid out for the remainder of his contract, McRae said. Limbaugh's resignation went into effect August 29th. The tumult that was a product of the lack of community support and coverage in the media of events the chancellor was affiliated with made it difficult for the Limbaugh to do his job, McRae said.

Interim Chancellor Greg Kegel is receiving the same salary Limbaugh did and is currently receiving, which is $162,419 a year.