As the choice for the new SIUC Chancellor approaches, current Chancellor Donald Beggs is plotting his future and determining whether to retire or continue working.

Beggs said he is considering and has applied for employment at other universities as a chancellor or president. He cautioned, however, that he is just one of many candidates being considered.

If the opportunity presents itself to work elsewhere then I’ll take it, he said. Otherwise, I’ll retire.

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As Beggs has worked with the University for more than 30 years, he is entitled to University retirement benefits. He said he met with the University retirement office to discuss his options and benefits last week.

Beggs would not say where he has applied because university chancellor and president candidates remain confidential unless they become finalists.

I’m looking north, south, east and west. So there’s no one region I’m looking at. Beggs said. I am essentially looking for an institution where I think I can make some contribution.

I’m looking to match what an institution wants to do with what I’m capable of doing.

Beggs said the universities he has applied at are not as far along as SIUC’s search which unveiled four candidates last week. He said he should know if he will work elsewhere or retire by March 1.

He said he has primarily applied with higher education institutions.

I am considering the possibility of working outside the higher education field, he said. There is one option I’ve briefly discussed, but right now I’m focusing on staying in higher education.

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Beggs would not release any details about the employment possibility.

Although Beggs is evaluating his future options, he said he is focusing on his last semester at SIUC and has created a list of goals he wants to accomplish before leaving SIUC. He said of priority on the list is helping develop the fiscal year 1999 budget and closing out the fiscal year 1998 budget.

My situation is to do this job to the best of my abilities and then to retire on June 30, when my contract runs out, he said.

Beggs said he is comfortable with the four finalists, and looks forward to working with the chosen one.

With the timing in this search I am hoping to have an opportunity to work with the new person so there will be an orderly transition.