The former Bridgewater State University president has come under fire for cashing out nearly $270,000 in unused sick and vacation days. (Courtesy of Bridgewater State University)

Former Bridgewater State University president Dana Mohler-Faria is forfeiting his salary as a consultant to the college and will instead volunteer his time.

Dana Mohler-Faria has come under fire for cashing out nearly $270,000 for about 900 unused sick and vacation days and taking $8,000 per month in consulting fees since retiring last summer.

"There’s a credibility issue here," Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker told WGBH’s On Campus.

Since taking office, Governor Baker has been urging public colleges and universities to keep their costs down, saying excessive benefits undermine the mission and message of public higher education.

“I think this is exactly the kind of thing that needs to be dealt with so that you can have a conversation about the value of a public education without having it be about just this,” said Governor Baker.

So far, none of Mohler-Faria's actions have been found to be illegal, but the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education announced on Thursday that it has launched a review into the state’s leave and pension policies.