Western Illinois University is exploring whether to close some buildings on its campus in Macomb.
The idea is to reduce spending by consolidating classroom space and residence halls. No decisions have been made on those options or another possibility, which is to sell the residence used by the institution’s president.
John Smith, Administrator in charge of Finance and Administration at WIU, told the Board of Trustees the 7,000 square foot home at 2001 Wigwam Hollow Rd. in Macomb was built in the 1970s.
“It’s got a lot of deferred maintenance that needs to be done. It costs the university about $30,000 a year on average to maintain,” he said.
Smith said WIU is one of four universities in Illinois with such a residence.
The Board of Trustees voted five to three against a resolution that would have granted permission to the administration to explore selling the property. The majority felt the administration could continue exploring options without the need for board approval.
“Keep doing what you’re doing with respect to surplus property, and that includes the president’s residence,” Trustee Kirk Dillard said.
Board Vice Chairperson Polly Radosh said trustees “received a lot of blowback” since the resolution became public. She suggested the administration conduct a poll or find another way of gathering feedback from alumni, the campus community, and the Macomb community about the idea of selling the house.
The resolution said money from the sale of property may be placed into an account, and spent on deferred maintenance or emergency repairs.
Interim President Dr. Kristi Mindrup, who previously served as WIU’s Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations, said she does sometimes use the residence in Macomb.
She said the home and the views from it are beautiful, but she supports exploring the possibility of selling it.
“I truly believe in leaving no stone unturned and maximizing what we can do financially to sustain the institution,” she said.
Mindrup said the administration also needs to determine whether such a residence might be an effective tool in helping recruit future presidents of WIU.
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