The Chancellor-appointed committee dealing with contract reviews found 34 contracts completed between 2002 and 2008 that must be sent to the Board of Trustees for review, according to Keith Nichols, director of news services.

The contract review began after Provost Larry Nielsen gave N.C. First Lady Mary Easley a $79,700 increase in pay, raising her salary from $90,300 to $170,000.

The committee reviewed the 34 contracts because University salary policy was not in line with UNC system policy, in which the Board of Governors must approve any salary increase of 15 percent or greater, or of $10,000 or more.

Easley’s raise increased her pay by 88 percent, and she was given new responsibilities, including becoming the director of the new center for public safety leadership.

The News & Observer reported that 46 raises will be sent for review, but Nichols said that number was false.

According to Nichols, the story must have cited other contracts that must be reviewed outside the 2008 fiscal year. The 2009 fiscal year began July 1, he said.

“Between 2002 and 2008 there are the 34 [contracts],” he said. “There are others that meet the 15-10 rule.”