Sands will receive nearly $1 million to leave his role as university president

Sands will remain at CSU to teach law classes in the fall

Harlan Sands in 2022. Photo courtesy of Cleveland State University

Harlan Sands will receive $928,200 to leave his position as president of Cleveland State University, according to a copy of his separation agreement that was obtained by WKYC. This value is two years of his current base salary. The separation was a mutual decision between Sands and the Board of Trustees due to “differences regarding how the university should be led in the future.”

In addition to the payment, Sands was offered a tenured full professorship at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, a condition of his 2021 contract extension. His base salary will be $348,000- equivalent to 75% of salary as university president.

The average salary for full professors at Cleveland State University was less than a third of this, at $112,200 in 2018, according to a survey by the American Association of University Professors.

Sands earned his Doctor of Law degree from George Mason University in 1994. He practiced law for four years as a public defender in Miami before moving into a career in higher education administration.

Sands will remain available through June 26 to assist with the transition, and has until Sept. 5 to vacate the university owned house provided to him. CSU will also pay his moving expenses.

The university-provided presidential house. Photo courtesy of Cleveland State University