Polly Radosh

The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees will have someone new leading its next meeting.

Officers on the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees serve one-year terms that run in conjunction with the school's fiscal year, which begins July 1. The same officers who served the past year were elected for another year, though the process of reappointing them demonstrated the deep divisions on the board.

As we navigate through these difficult times, I am reminded of several sociological studies that have examined the effects of a past pandemic on our laws and culture. The bubonic plague first hit Europe in 1347. It was first spread by fleas, highly contagious, and victims died within days of contracting the disease. The bubonic plague, or Black Death, is estimated to have killed 60% of the world's population.

Western Illinois University Board of Trustees Chairperson Polly Radosh said leaders of the school's presidential search committee made progress the first two-and-a-half months of the year. But in mid-March, the state issued stay-at-home orders and bans on large gatherings in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees (BoT) split right down the middle on whether to name Dr. Martin Abraham as the school’s next president.  Tri States Public Radio spoke with a board member from each side of the issue to get their thoughts.   

The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees has held 11 public forums on campus and in the community to gather input about the search for the school's 12th president.

Near the beginning of Friday's six hour Board of Trustees meeting in Macomb, Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas talked about the various steering teams and task forces he has put together to help guide the university and position it for the future. But board members felt something was missing.

A recent report on Tri States Public Radio cited the current impasse in salary negotiations between the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) and the Western Illinois University (WIU) administration.  According to the report, there are several issues that have stood in the way of an agreement.  Among other issues, the administration asks to reduce compensation, increase furlough days, and eliminate the current contract use of "minima."