July 13, 2017

Trustees approve chancellor, financial sustainability plan

The SIU Board of Trustees, meeting July 13 in Springfield, approved the appointment of Carlo Montemagno as the next chancellor of SIU Carbondale. He begins his new role on Aug. 15.

Trustees also approved a three-part financial sustainability plan that includes paying back funds used for operations in FY17, reductions in state budgets for FY18, and additional steps going forward.

In addition, the board approved the appointment of former interim chancellor Brad Colwell as vice president for academic affairs for the SIU System effective Monday, July 17.

During a pre-meeting work session July 12, trustees received a report from a financial consulting firm assisting the university with planning for a public-private partnership to build new student housing. The firm advised trustees that the plan was not currently viable due to enrollment instability and the university's low credit rating caused by the state budget impasse. Trustees discussed options for positioning the university for new housing in the future.