Former East Tennessee State University athletic director Scott Carter, who resigned Aug. 1, will receive monthly payments of his base pay until July 31, 2023.
According to a separation agreement document obtained by CBS affiliate WJHL in Johnson City, the installments include social security, retirement and insurance, as well as a payout of Carter’s accrued vacation leave as of July 31, 2022. The document states Carter will not earn further vacation days or sick leave during the year-long period.
Jessica Vodden, ETSU’s chief marketing and communications officer, told WJHL in an email that Carter’s annual salary on which the severance pay will be based is $220,746.87.
The two daughters of the former athletic director have the option to receive a last-dollar scholarship for tuition and program service fees for one undergraduate degree at the university immediately after graduating high school, the separation agreement outlines.
“[ETSU] shall have no other financial obligations to Mr. Carter under any compensation or benefit plan, program, policy, contract, or tuition remission and Mr. Carter’s participation in University compensation and benefit plans, tuition remission, programs, practices, policies, contracts and tuition remission shall cease as of the resignation date, except that he shall have the right to continue in the state’s group health plan coverage until he secures other full-time employment with benefits or until the end of the Non-Employment Contract Payment Period, whichever occurs earlier,” the contract reads, as reported by WJHL.
Carter’s resignation became effective the same day ETSU officials announced their intentions of firing then women’s basketball coach Simon Harris due to alleged Title IX violations. The situations, however, had “no connection,” according to acting athletic director Richard “Doc” Sander.
Related: Tile IX Complaint Brings Coach's Firing, Then AD Resigns
Sander called the timing "coincidental" earlier this month.
“This is a really tough time, and I think Scott has done a tremendous job, so I think sometimes you just get worn down,” Sander said.
“I think that’s where he was. I can’t really speak for Scott. But those things are not related at all."
Carter had worked as the university’s athletic director since 2017. Sander, his predecessor, is continuing to work for the faculty pay he has been earning for his work in ETSU’s global sports management program, which is $86,567 annually.
Carter agreed to waive his right to make an appeal relating to the agreement, which can be terminated if the university learns that “Mr. Carter violated any law, rule, regulation, policy, or bylaw during his tenure…”
Carter also agreed to release the university from any potential liability he might pursue related to his employment there.
The contract became effective when ETSU president Dr. Brian Noland, university counsel Mark Fulks and Carter signed the document on Aug. 17.
ETSU noted in the agreement that it has not offered Carter any re-employment opportunities during his non-employment contract payment period.
