WSU Tri-Cities administrators do not have to worry about paying for former provost Steve Hoch’s $245,000 salary.

Though Hoch will teach Russian history at the branch campus beginning in January, his salary will come from the general WSU budget, Provost Warwick Bayly said Wednesday. WSU will transfer the money to WSU Tri-Cities.

The unusually high salary comes from a now-discontinued clause in administrative contracts. Because President Elson S. Floyd relieved Hoch of his duties as provost last month, Hoch will make nine-elevenths of his former salary.

Bayly said he decided to move Hoch to WSU Tri-Cities in the last week of October. The decision stemmed from a need for stronger liberal arts faculty at the branch campus.

“It was a university decision,” Bayly said. “It was the result of a lot of discussions.” Bayly said he left Hoch a voicemail regarding the decision Oct. 31. He also sent Hoch a letter the same day explaining the move.

Hoch, who has been in Kentucky since leaving Pullman in late September, was not consulted in the decision, Bayly said. Neither were history department administrators at the Pullman or Tri-Cities campuses.

Bayly said he did not intentionally leave history administrators out of the loop. He said he did not know Hoch was already on the Pullman history class schedule and there was no specific reason students weren’t told.

“Ultimately, that was the decision that was reached,” he said. “I was not aware people were planning on taking classes with Dr. Hoch. There was no intentional slight.” Bayly did consult with branch campus chancellors and Paul Whitney, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He said those discussions showed that Hoch’s expertise and skills better fit the Tri-Cities campus.

“When we looked at the needs of the institution on different branch campuses, we were trying to build up the strength of the faculty in the Tri-Cities,” he said. At WSU Tri-Cities, Hoch will teach one course in History 469, a seminar in history, and independent studies, said Leonard Orr, director of liberal arts at the branch campus. WSU Tri-Cities’ other Russian history professor, Brigit Farley, is on sabbatical for all of this academic year. Farley makes $52,185 a year.

Bayly said he thought it might be helpful for Farley and Hoch to work together as colleagues in the future.

Orr said he found out about the decision about a week and a half ago. He has since spoken with Hoch and is looking for office space for the former provost.

“We certainly need all the faculty members we can get,” Orr said. “I’m happy that we’re getting some assistance. He brings years in experience.” When Hoch arrives in the Tri-Cities in January, he and Orr will decide what he’ll teach next fall, Orr said.

Hoch could not be reached for comment.

THE COSTS IN PULLMAN Joan King, executive director of planning and budget, said paying Hoch’s salary shouldn’t impact other allocations from the general university budget. She also said there will be no negative impact on the WSU Tri-Cities budget.

“It comes from the general central pool of funds. We never allocate out everything,” she said. “You can safely say it’s going to be covered. He’ll just be teaching and paid like any other professor.” Since Hoch left Pullman on Sept. 23, WSU administrators have expressed a wish to move on from the controversial topic. Bayly said at this point, the university’s tight budget is a much more important issue.

“From my perspective, we’ve made the decision and we’ve got to get on with other issues,” he said. “I understand this story is of some interest to individuals at the university, but as I see it, we’re moving forward.”