University News
BOT Approves National Search
December 13, 2019
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- At today's (Dec. 13) Western Illinois University Board of Trustees meeting, the Board voted to approve hiring a presidential search firm to conduct a national search for Western's 12th president. Interim President Martin Abraham, who has served in the role since July 1, will remain serving as interim president until a permanent president is hired.
"We have greatly appreciated Dr. Abraham's efforts as acting and interim president, and we look forward to a continued working relationship," said BOT Chair Polly Radosh.
The Board will solicit bids for a presidential search firm not to exceed $250,000. Firms who participate in the state bidding process will be reviewed and interviewed by search committee co-chairs, Faculty Senate Chair Christopher Pynes and a trustee, along with other appointed individuals. In 2009, following the announcement of the 2011 retirement of then President Al Goldfarb, the Board selected Korn/Ferry International to conduct the institution's search for its 11th president, at a cost of $90,000 plus agreed-upon expenses. A presidential search committee will be formed, comprised of WIU faculty, staff, students and alumni, as well as Macomb and Quad Cities community members (see page 17 in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot).
In other business, the Board approved a reorganization of the Division of Administrative Services, which will be dissolved, effective Dec. 16. Former Vice President Bill Polley, who is an economics professor, has been reassigned to faculty in the College of Business and Technology. All finance-related departments, including personnel and auxiliary services, will report to the associate vice president for budget and finance. Auxiliary Services, Equal Opportunity and Access, The Office of Civil Service and the Office of Academic and Administrative personnel will report to the executive director of personnel services and finance. Facilities and risk management functions will be led by the executive director of facilities and risk management. Student services-related organizational changes include a national search for an associate vice president of enrollment management, who will oversee transfer services, admissions and enrollment services, retention and financial aid (see page 32 in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot).
The Board also voted to keep closed session meeting minutes and recordings closed until further determination (see page 41 in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot); and approved the release of closed session written meeting minutes. The Board also approved the amended BOT regulation for use of University Facilities (see page 38 in Board materials at wiu.edu/bot).
The next regularly scheduled BOT meeting will be held March 26-27 on the Macomb campus.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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