"I think we will suffer a tremendous loss, we the state of Missouri and not just the University of Missouri as a whole, and I'm saddened by that," added Curator Cheryl Walker. "I don't know why he listened this time. But what I meant in my statement was the fact that as higher education salaries' packages have increased continually across the nation that I don't think his compensation package has kept up with the pace."

Washington State University will pay Floyd $600,00 a year, compared to his $460,000 salary as leader of the four-campus UM system.