According to 1999 returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the latest filing available, the non-profit paid its former president, John Hoy, an annual salary of $119,050. He also received $17,858 in contributions to employee benefit plans and $6,023 allotted for expenses.

At UH, Dobelle had a salary of $442,000 a year. His predecessor, Kenneth Mortimer, was paid $170,000 annually. The current UH president, David McClain, receives $325,000.

As part of an agreement with the university, Dobelle was named to a research position at a salary of $125,000 a year. The compensation is part of a $1.8 million severance package. Dobelle also received a life insurance policy worth $1.6 million.

Dobelle's severance pay is higher than the 1999 salaries, wages and benefits for the entire staff of the New England Board of Higher Education, which came in at $1.67 million. Total revenue for the non-profit was $2.85 million and expenses topped $2.83 million.

Dobelle's contract allows him to take the job at the non-profit and still keep his research position at the university.

Carole Cowan, search committee chairwoman for the Boston non-profit, reportedly dismissed any concerns about Dobelle's firing. She said that similar clashes had occurred elsewhere in higher education. The non-profit is impressed with Dobelle's 30 years of experience in government and education.