There's preliminary approval from the UW regents to increase salaries for three veteran chancellors.

The regents' business committee backs raises for Platteville Chancellor David Markee, Stout Chancellor Charles Sorensen and Superior Chancellor Julius Erlenbach.

The three are the longest serving chancellors in the UW System. The raises are part of a strategy to retain top academic leaders through better compensation.

Markee would be in line for the biggest raise -- of more than $13,000. His top aide would also receive a $6,500 increase.

Sorensen would receive a nearly $11,000 raise. Erlenbach is up for an increase of just over $5,000.

The full Board of Regents is expected to sign off on the raises.