A proposed nine-dollar per semester fee to help shore up SIU Carbondale’s student newspaper has been tabled, and may not come up again for a year.
Trustees were considering a plan which advocates say would help keep the Daily Egyptian viable, as revenues declined and costs rose. School of Journalism Chair Bill Freivogel says despite rumors, he won’t let the D-E fade away because of Thursday’s decision:
“I have no intention of closing down the Daily Egyptian. We will find a way.”
Supporters of the paper made their case to the Board of Trustees as they met in Edwardsville, calling the Daily Egyptian the “crown jewel” of the Journalism School and something the campus can’t live without.
Grant Miller teaches in the College of Education. He says the D-E is vital:
It is invaluable as far as having a sustainable program for students to see that there is something here. Because with this uncertainty this summer, I fear, with a summer of uncertainty about the D-E, there is an awful lot of time to consider transferring to another university.”
But Trustees held off on voting on the fee, saying they were concerned about mounting costs for students and wanted more time for new President Randy Dunn to consider all available options. They also tabled SIU Carbondale’s proposed increase in its Athletic Fee, also a nine-dollar per semester change.
Meanwhile, a controversial marketing contract for SIU Carbondale has been put on hold, as leaders say they want more time to consider whether it’s actually working.
Trustees tabled consideration of an extension of Lipman Hearne’s contract. The agency has been working with SIU Carbondale for the past several years to help with recruitment and retention. Chancellor Rita Cheng says the delay could make things tricky:
“We have new creative advertising plans that will need to be established in the summer, to be able to be ready in September to be competitive on the marketplace.”
But Trustees warned they wanted to see better results last year, otherwise they might let the contract expire. Board Chairman Randal Thomas says he also wants more input from new President Randy Dunn on the matter:
“We really need to get Dr. Dunn on board, and get Dr. Dunn’s clear guidance to the Board.”
In addition to tabling this $2 million contract extension, Trustees also tabled SIU Edwardsville’s marketing and communication plan. They say they’d like to better coordinate and see if things need to be changed.
