The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees has awarded Chancellor James McCormick a $40,000 bonus for his performance last year. However, for the second year in a row the trustees on Wednesday froze his salary at $360,000. Nearly all the system’s employees are under a wage freeze. McCormick’s contract expires in August of next year, and the 71-year-old chancellor has not sought to extend it.

A statement released by the MnSCU board says McCormick did an outstanding job leading the system during difficult economic times and were confident he will provide superior leadership during the transition to a new chancellor next year. Last year, the system paid $287,500 in bonuses to its top staff, prompting criticism from union members at a time of layoffs.