A proposal that the Illinois Board of Higher Education consider changes in its structure has SIU officials concerned about the future of the University’s representation on the board.

The proposal introduced to the IBHE Tuesday is aimed at strengthening the lines of communication between the board and the various universities and colleges in Illinois, according to IBHE Associate Director Debra Smitley.

Smitley said the changes were proposed as a result of legislation signed by Governor Jim Edgar earlier this year eliminating the board representative from SIU and grouping all of the public universities in the state under one representative.

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John Haller, vice chancellor for academic affairs, said he is

see IBHE, page 5