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* Doc Herrin claims that he might not have been the SIU Board of Trustees Chairman this week had an actual vote taken place…
Herrin told The Southern Illinoisan Thursday he didn’t go to Wednesday’s board meeting under the assumption he would be elected chairman. The bylaws of the board of trustees, he added, dictated it was time for the group to decide on a slate of officers.
“We were simply following the bylaws. The bylaws are clear,” Herrin said. “I have no idea who they were going to elect as chairman. I didn’t try to get appointed; I showed up for a meeting.”
Background is here if you’re not up to speed.
* From SIU’s bylaws…
Section 1. Election of Officers
The Board shall, at its first regular meeting following the third Monday in each January, elect by roll call vote from its own membership and by a majority vote of those voting members present, a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and a Secretary, who shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. If only one person is nominated for an office the nominee may be elected by acclamation.
* But the two trustees who walked out of the meeting had been blocked when they tried to elect temporary officers…
Wiley moved to elect only temporary officers to serve for the duration of Wednesday’s meeting, which is allowed under the bylaws of the board.
The rest of the board, which includes Roger Herrin of Harrisburg, Don Lowery of Golconda and Donna Manering of Makanda instead began to call for a vote that would have seated a chairman, vice chairman and secretary for a full year.
That’s when Wiley left, followed by Hamilton. That left the board without a quorum and unable to do business.
To be clear here, Herrin and two other board members wanted to elect a permanent chairman with just three votes. There are supposed to be eight board members.
* And if this isn’t a foreshadowing of what was designed to transpire this week, I don’t know what was…
“I apologize to all of you for what’s about to happen,” warned Trustee Don Lowery as the meeting began.
* Lowery, by the way, was appointed to the SIU board of trustees by Gov. Quinn a couple of years ago. He was a tea party darling when he ran against US Sen. Mark Kirk in the GOP primary…
Most of the crowd’s disdain was aimed at the Obama administration, seen by TEA Party organizers as moving the country toward socialism. Loud applause greeted mention of Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, and Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. Shimkus walked out of a presidential address to congress last week. Wilson famously called President Barack Obama a liar during the same speech. […]
Several speakers referred to Wilson, including Don Lowery, a retired Pope County judge running for U.S. Senate.
“Joe Wilson is telling it like it is,” Lowery said.
TEA Party speakers all expressed frustration and anger with the direction of federal government under the Obama administration, saying the administration’s proposals on health care, energy, corporate bailouts, cash-for-clunkers and spending generally are running the country into socialism and bankruptcy.
“The goal of the Obama administration is to gut private industry and create a government that will control every aspect of your life,” Lowery said.
* Meanwhile, Carbondale-area legislators aren’t thrilled with Democratic Sen. Bill Haine’s plan to dump all the trustees and start from scratch…
“My problem with that bill – and I think even (Haine) understands this – it sets a precedent I’m not even sure the legislature wants to go down,” state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville said. “What I mean by that, if you can do that at SIU Carbondale, then any legislator in the future, who is unhappy with what is going on at their university, would have the right to do what they think ought to be done.”
State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said he’d have to talk more with Haine before making a decision on it, but expressed some concerns about singling out SIU’s governance with a piece of legislation.
State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said the SIU board’s problem is a result of politics in the system. You don’t solve that, he added, by introducing more politics.
“The reality is it shouldn’t be about the politics…it should be about the betterment for the students and the system as a whole,” Bost said. “We’ve been drawn into a fight that goes way beyond SIU.”
There is a real danger that the more this fight amps up, the more likely it’ll be that the General Assembly will finally accede to the wishes of Metro East legislators and split that university in two. And if that happens, the struggling Carbondale campus will be in deep trouble.
If we had a governor interested in moving this state forward instead of participating in crud like this, maybe we could get a solution to the problem. But Quinn has refused to meet with Metro East legislators about the controversy for months. That’s a real slap in the face. Appointments are made with the advice and consent of the Illinois Senate. He needs to come to terms with that. He’s the top dog, so because he stuck his nose into this it’s all on him, like it or not.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 12:09 pm
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Southern Illinois University is not the only state campus that is trouble.
There are no longer enough trustees at Chicago State University to achieve a legal quorum. Pat Quinn has exhibited extreme cowardice in not making appointments to that university that may offend former State Senate President Emil Jones.
A few of the vacant board positions have been unfilled for weeks and months.
Comment by Esquire Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 12:35 pm
–“The goal of the Obama administration is to gut private industry and create a government that will control every aspect of your life,” Lowery said. –
Yet the only people beyond the reach of the law in this country are the executives at the five biggest banks. They don’t make socialists like they used to.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 12:38 pm
An option, (not a good one, probably not even a feasable one)….
SIU - Edwardsville = The “New” Southern Illinois University.
SIU - Carbondale = University of Illinois - Carbondale, or Illinois State University, Carbondale.
Carbondale gets “absorbed”, the U of I, or ISU can use that “Campus” with some of its different Majors, maybe enve mirror some “State University” systems that REQUIRE satellite attendence before heading to the MAIN campus? U of I Carbondale, for example, could be the campus to handle more Freshman for UIUC, and enlarge the enrollment.
ISU - Carbondale can offer Education Majors a place to begin before heading to Normal, possibly opening up more slots for students attempting to enter the ISU Business or Education Colleges?
You make the “NEW” SIU and Edwardsville/Metro East Board, you “86″ the rest, using the existing Boards, adding appointments, (1) for the Carbondale region?
I have no idea if this is remotely possible, discussed and dismissed, or is just a Dopey thing I pondered. Just a thought, with new plan or agenda… just a thought.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 12:56 pm
A real bone head move on Quinn’s part getting so wrapped up in this. The governor has been dreadfully slow making appointments to most of the state’s public university boards and other state boards and commissions as well. That’s just basic governing and he has shown he can’t do that well.
Comment by Because I said so... Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 12:59 pm
From the by-laws “and by a majority vote of those voting members present”
Couldn’t they have elected the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary with only three people voting? I don’t agree with this, but that is what the by-laws say. Leadership starts at the top and flows down (Like something else) and it just isn’t there any more from the top down!
Comment by G.I. Joe Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:03 pm
Herrin does not understand the role of a trustee. He tried to get involved in mid level searches, often backing a self vetted candidate. If not checked, he would end up with a patronage system that would require someone going to Harrisburg to get a job at SIU. The non academic positions at SIU are highly sought after by many Southern Illinoisians and could prove to be a source of power, influence and ego gratification for someone that could control the outcome of the hiring process.
Herrin’s problem with Poshard stems from the President refusing to allow the Board Chairman’s improper influence of the hiring process to stand.
Bottom line is that Herrin in just not an appropriate person to be Board Chair, or even a Board member. The trustees who were not reappointed were professional in their approach and great proponents of the school. Mr Simmons gave millions of dollars for the cancer research center in Springfield. Herrin gave thousands to Quinn, but Quinn wants Herrin to be chair. I just don’t get it.
I have 32 years of service at SIU. I love the school and Southern Illinois, but if I were 15 years younger, I would find another school in another state. And lots of our younger faculty are beginning to look.
Comment by SIUPROF Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:04 pm
===but that is what the by-laws say===
They also spell out a quorum. You can’t have a meeting without a quorum.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:07 pm
You would be hard pressed to find a place that prepares students for the real world of government and bureaucracy better than SIU Carbondale.
Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:10 pm
Illinois is one of the largest exporters of college students. Although it has been that way for a while now, this kind of nonsense certainly doesn’t help.
Comment by Because I said so... Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:17 pm
I am a two-degree graduate of SIU Carbondale, and this whole fiasco just makes my heart sick. I love SIU, and it deserves better than this.
Comment by Old Shepherd Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:19 pm
I imagine the folks in DeKalb are happy for all the shenanigans regarding the SIU board.
It diverts attention from the the federales and staties carting out hard drives and boxes of records from the NIU police department, and an ever-widening probe into facilities and financial management there.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:32 pm
Rich, you’ve taken your Quinn resentment to a new level on this. It’s confusing. The Governor hasn’t said a negative word about President Poshard or the replaced trustees. Glenn Poshard’s involvement in the drama is kind of sad and embarrassing if you ask me.
As I see it Quinn nominated three board members. The senate rejected them without a hearing. Ask yourself: Who created this chaos?
Where is your criticism of Poshard, or of the Senate, for meddling and micromanaging? And what does Glenn Poshard find so threatening about Roger Herrin that makes him willing to resign if he becomes the chair (a mostly ceremonial position)?
Comment by chubs mahoney Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:45 pm
===As I see it Quinn nominated three board members. The senate rejected them without a hearing. Ask yourself: Who created this chaos?===
You can barely see the hand in front of your face.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:53 pm
@chubs:
First of all, and if you had been paying attention to some of what has been said on this issue, the Governor violated a long-standing “agreement” that there would be represntation on the board from certain areas. Second, Quinn’s nominees were rejected and he won’t let it go. He picks some of the stupidest finghts I’ve ever seen. And Poshard micromanaging? He’s the President of the university. He’s got a vested interest in the Board. I am friends with the president of a university and dealing with Boards is no fun task. No president in his right mind wants to deal with somebody who’s going to be nothing but a thorn in their side.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 1:56 pm
The bone-headed governor appointed an honest-to-god trouble maker with Donald Lowery. Famous for his heavy-handedness and an inability to keep his nose out of everyone else’s business. He has a home in Pope County and a home in Grand Rivers, KY. Guess which home he lives in. Residing in KY and sitting on the SIU Board of Trustees…..anybody see anything wrong with this picture?
Comment by Jasper Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 2:03 pm
ALSO….Mr. Lowery is all about patronage….His wife used to work for the State Employment Testing facility. Without Mr. Lowery’s go ahead nobody got a job. He was also involved with Bob Winchester in Saline Co. and his “jobs for sale” program. It is clear he wants Poshard’s job as president….Dr. Herrin is there to help.
Comment by Jasper Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 2:08 pm
Something about SIU fuels the deep conspiracy theorist in all of us. Forby wanted Lowery on the board to avoid him as an opponent!
Comment by horseracer Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 2:24 pm
The whole problem at SIU centers around one person, GLEN POSHARD. Some of the current members on the board want him removed as president of SIU. Poshard is trying to save his $320,000 plus a year salary and job. Its all smoke and mirrors! If you read all the AP stories all the problem is the board of trustees, no mention of GLEN POSHARD anywhere in the articles. If the current board is removed, its to save POSHARD. I would hope if the Illinois Senate votes to remove the current board, they also remove POSHARD.
Comment by Jim Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 2:29 pm
===It’s confusing.===
Lemme try to help you…
1) Quinn engineers Doc as chairman;
2) Doc then goes after Poshard;
3) Poshard engineers Doc’s ouster;
4) Quinn refuses to reappoint new chairman and two other Edwardsville members, violating a long-established protocol by…
5) Quinn appoints three people to the board, one who is completely unknown, and two who are outside of Edwardsville area;
6) Throughout this whole thing, Quinn has refused - to this day - to meet with any Senators from the area, even for a minute;
7) Senate unanimously rejects Quinn’s appointees - the first time that’s ever happened I think.
Somehow this is not Quinn’s fault? Are you daft?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 2:35 pm
Willy - That’s the first thing I thought as well, that the U of I could pick up Carbondale for pennies on the dollar after all this goes down.
Comment by thechampaignlife Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 2:47 pm
Apologies to Jim for the cutting and pasting (changes in CAPS):
The whole problem at CSU centers around one person, WAYNE WATSON. Some of the PAST members on the board wantED him removed as president of CSU. WATSON is trying to save his salary and job. Its all smoke and mirrors!
Different geography, different players, similar problems, same stupid governor.
Comment by Esquire Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 2:47 pm
- thechampaignlife -,
The question yet to be discussed, even if everything stays the same is “What is the political fallout of Carbondale losing SIU, and it becomes ISU, Carbondale or U of I - Carbondale?
I know nothing about the politics of the University systems, or even if my Dopey idea could work. I do know enrollment is down, leaking tons of cash, and a “University System” seems like a good idea, heck they can even model it after MANY good ones out there …
Appreciate your comraderie on this. I figured I might be alone in my thoughts …
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 3:08 pm
Willy, the Big U could and should in that scenario consider bringing a medical school in Springfield aboard its statewide group of facilities.
The dental school, I don’t know. Maybe privatize it and let McPike run it.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 3:11 pm
- AA -,
You get the #s ready on that, I will work on the PowerPoint …
I know someone, somewhere has HAD to think of this, so I wonder what is “the rub”, (besides the obvious ‘my alma mater, etc.), given the enrollment and budget issues, facilites and their costs, and the U of I agressive targeting of foreign students v. In-State applicants going out-of-state …
Get that Green Banker’s visor on too, - AA -
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 3:19 pm
Willy, who told you about my green eyeshade, darn it?
I think the real elephant in the room here is not any individual or even campus, but perhaps that given the changes in the workforce, demographics, and the “affordability” issue, the State as a whole may not be far away from having one surplus State University. God Bless the person who has to tackle that one if it ever comes to pass.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 3:40 pm
- Arthur Andersen -,
Nothing to add.
Well said, and sadly true.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 3:42 pm
It just proves Sayre’s law. “Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low.”
Comment by wishbone Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 4:17 pm