Illinois State University is missing nearly half of its governing board as it awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker to make three appointments.
The terms of three trustees, including former chairman Rocky Donahue, secretary Mary Ann Louderback and Bob Churney, expired earlier this year.
ISU trustees are scheduled to meet May 10 to consider tuition and room and board rates. The panel is also scheduled to meet May 4 in Hinsdale to discuss those proposals, though it will not take formal action.
Director of Media Relations Eric Jome said the meetings could still happen without those trustees as they would have the minimum for a quorum.
“We know that the governor’s office has a lot of appointments to make on other boards, so it may be potentially until after our May 10meeting (that the seats are filled),” Jome said.
“Depending on the timing, it also allows them to come in and get oriented to the board, oriented to the university and some of the larger issues the board deals with before being confronted with a pretty major decision,” Jome said.
Pritzker’s press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh said the administration is working to fill those vacancies.
“The administration is working with the president to ensure work continues uninterrupted at Illinois State University and is conducting interviews with plans to have an announcement in the coming weeks,” Abudayyeh said.
ISU has historically locked in tuition rates for four years for incoming freshmen and transfer undergraduate students.
Jome noted one time when the trustees delayed a vote on tuition and room and board during the long state budget stalemate during former Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration.
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