Daily Egyptian Politics Editor

SIU President Ted Sanders’ decision on the selection of SIUC’s next chancellor was based on the winning candidate’s approach to running the ship at her current campus.

Jo Ann Argersinger, provost for University of Maryland Baltimore County, will take the reins of SIUC July 1, following the SIU Board of Trustees’ decision to approve her chancellorship at its meeting Thursday.

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Argersinger, who beamed and shook hands of trustees following her appointment, said her plan to lead SIUC into the next century involves a shared vision with constituency groups on campus.

We should be building our collective vision, she said. When one person rises on campus, the whole campus rises.

Argersinger said she intends to pursue research partnerships with state and federal government and large corporations, a practice she delved in at UMBC.

By forming such partnerships, she said, the University can get more money for research and students working within those partnerships can develop better opportunities for employment following graduation.

Sanders said that kind of work at UMBC was a significant part of his decision.

She has infinite enthusiasm and energy, he said. I learned that she is a quick study. She does her homework and does it thoroughly.

Though Sanders had glowing praise for Argersinger, Student Trustee Pat Kelly did not agree with the decision.

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Kelly, who voted an emphatic no in the decision, said he had not been involved in the decision until that point.

I voted against it because I felt I was left out of the decision, and I was not given enough material to justify giving the support of the students to any of the candidates, he said.

I felt it was grossly inappropriate that we were presented with the new candidate during spring break. There definitely is a breakdown in communication when I find out the president’s choice from the newspaper.

Despite Kelly’s criticism, Sanders firmly supported his decision.

I made this decision with no mental reservations and much enthusiasm, he said.

As chancellor, Argersinger will earn $155,000 plus a $27,000 housing allowance and use of a University vehicle. Her husband Peter may join SIUC faculty later this year.