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SIU Trustees Approve Temporary Budget, Get Updates on Leadership

SIU Trustees have approved a maintenance budget, as the system waits for Springfield to craft a new state fiscal plan for next year.

President Randy Dunn says while it's not unusual for a spending plan to be delayed while a state budget is finished, this year includes a level of uncertainty that makes planning hard.
 
"Given the fact that the state budget is such a significant part of the university budget, it just becomes very difficult to try to put anything together until we see where that comes in."
 
Dunn says they'll make adjustments to the university's budget when state funding levels are known, and says models for various levels of cuts are already being studied so that action can be taken when it's necessary.

Meanwhile, it may be a bit longer before a new SIU Carbondale Chancellor is named.

Dunn says he's still evaluating analysis from campus surveys, as well as considering other factors in choosing from the four finalists who visited and interviewed in Carbondale over the last month.
 
"I know there's great desire to get this done on the campus, but it's a critical hire - we want to do it carefully, without dragging it out. But we've got a few more steps that just have to get done during a very busy time of year and we're going to do those the right way."
 
In addition, Dunn says SIU Trustees have indicated a desire to meet with his eventual choice for campus CEO before an announcement is made, so that may push back the announcement, too.

Dunn says it may be late summer or even into the fall semester before a chancellor is in place, though an announcement will be within the next few weeks.

And SIUC's new Athletic Director will make $185,000 a year, as university trustees approved a three-year deal with Tommy Bell in Carbondale.

University President Randy Dunn says in addition to negotiation, there were several factors that went into the final salary number.
 
"It was basically looking at what the previous person had been paid, looking at other salaries across Missouri Valley Conference, as well as comparisons for like senior leadership positions at the campus."
 
Dunn says he's hopeful Bell will be able to attend the Missouri Valley Conference Spring Meetings coming up in early June.

Bell will fill the spot left vacant when former AD Mario Moccia left for New Mexico State University.

 

Jennifer Fuller joined Capitol News Illinois in July 2023 as the organization’s broadcast director. She will oversee the launch and operations of CNI’s new broadcast division.

Contact Jennifer Fuller at jfuller@capitolnewsillinois.com
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