Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University will spend up to $30 million to renovate a pair of buildings.
The highest profile project is the University Union, which is located in the heart of campus.
"We have a study right now to look at various ways of modernizing it," said WIU President Jack Thomas.
"As you know that building was built (decades ago) and we want to bring it up to a more modern look, like other buildings, like the building across the street. The Multi-Cultural Center is the newest building in terms of being a green building as well as having the latest kinds of facilities in it."
The other renovation project is at Thompson Hall, which is a dorm.
The Board of Trustees agreed to issue up to $30 million in bonds to pay for the work. The BoT also agreed to re-fund $9 million worth of bonds from 2002.
Vacancies on the BoT
The quarterly meeting of WIU's BoT included barely enough members to function - and it's not known when the governor might fill the vacancies.
The board is down to five members, including the student trustee who is elected by fellow students.
BoT Chair William Epperly said three seats remain open even though there is plenty of interest in them.
"I know of at least six of seven people that have been vetted or interviewed for those spots. I know of another individual that's lobbying hard to be appointed. So we've got competition," Epperly said.
"What's going to happen with those three seats and when - no idea."
Trustees Carolyn Ehlert Fuller and Steven Nelson recently left the board. Epperly said both wanted to continue serving (in fact Ehlert Fuller was elected board chair by fellow trustees during their meeting in September) but their terms were allowed to expire and the governor took no action to reappoint them or appoint someone else to their seats.
Board membership almost dropped to just two, but Epplery and Michael Houston were reappointed and Lyneir Cole of Chicago was appointed to his first term.