The SIU Board of Trustees passed all fee proposals at Thursday’s meeting except for two: the student media and athletic fees.

SIU President Randy Dunn, who took office May 1, said he needs more time to consider the student media fee. Dunn said he wants the Daily Egyptian to continue, and will review the $9 fee proposal for a later vote – but could not say when.

“Over the past day or so, since the board’s work session yesterday obviously I’ve had a number of emails, I’m guessing some [of the board members] have as well with concern that this is putting the Daily Egyptian at harm and going to cause them to close, and that isn’t the case,” he said.

School of Journalism Director William Freivogel, the publication’s Editor-in-Chief Kayli Plotner and Assistant Professor Grant Miller all spoke in support of the student media fee during public comments.

Miller said the Daily Egyptian has cut its expenses from $1 million to $663,000 since 2006.

“The Daily Egyptian is one of the few college newspapers that are asked to support itself entirely by advertising,” Miller said. “As a faculty member in the college of education, I see the Daily Egyptian as an incredible resource, an incredible opportunity for our students and something I hope to see it not only continue to be sustained on life support, but to really be shown as something is truly supported by our campus and by our administration.”

Dunn said he will continue to support the Daily Egyptian through the president’s office as previous SIU President Glenn Poshard did. Poshard gave $55,000 from the president’s office to fund the publication through summer 2013.

“This door isn’t closed,” he said. “It’s just before we institute yet one more fee, with me coming in new as the president, working with the campus leadership and obviously the folks involved in the DE, have a chance to revisit the business model and see if we’ve turned over every stone possible putting on yet one more fee.”

Dunn said approving the fee is not a matter of comparing the Daily Egyptian to SIU-Edwardsville’s Alestle, which publishes a print copy once a week and receives roughly $8 per student.

Trustee Chairman Randal Thomas said he did not know how to comment regarding the tabled athletic fee.

“[The athletic fee being tabled] may be in part because of a transition in president just to have a chance — again, it’s only been six days — to have a chance to sit down and work with the campus,” Dunn said.

The board also tabled the contract renewal with marketing firm Lipman Hearne. The original $1.5 million, two-year contract was established in 2010.

During the May 9, 2013, board meeting, the trustees voted to renew the contract for one year but requested more results from Lipman Hearne for an extension past 2014.

“We have not seen the results that we need in order for that contract to be renewed,” Thomas said at Thursday’s meeting. “We can act on that if we needed to, the board can act in executive session … All of these issues, we’re at this cusp of the transition, we really need to get Dr. Dunn on board.”

The board did approve the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and Dell Marketing purchase of $13.5 million for computers and computer accessories. The board also approved a $1.8 million, three-year contract beginning July 1 with Under Armor for intercollegiate athletic apparel.

The trustees also approved a $5 million plumbing contract and a $4 million, five-year contract was approved for labor material and equipment for solid waste removal and cardboard recycle by Burris Disposal Service in Carbondale.

“Seems like we sure have spent a lot of money here today,” Herrin said.

In an enrollment update, Provost John Nicklow said the Carbondale campus has received 13,200 freshman applications for the fall 2014 semester. The Carbondale campus presently has 16,619 students.

SIU-Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe said SIUE has received 10,000 freshman applications for the fall 2014 semester. The Edwardsville campus presently has 13,850 students.

Cheng said 148 faculty and staff are signed up to retire and she expects 200 to sign up by the end of the year.

The board also named Dafna Lemish dean of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts and Laurie Achenbach dean of the College of Science.

Luke Nozicka can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter @lukenozicka, or 536-3311 ext. 268.