By Neil Doyle
NORMAL – The Illinois State University Board of Trustees approved a bonus for the school’s president, but it came with some displeasure to a group of ISU graduate students.
The board approved a $48,000 bonus for Larry Dietz based on annual performance reviews, in addition to his annual base salary of $375,000. ISU graduate teaching assistants voiced their concerns with the president’s bonus, saying they barely make enough money to make ends meet with low stipends.
“The jobs that we do are different and I appreciate them explaining what their concerns are and we’ll take them under advisement,” Dietz told reporters. “They are in the process of doing some negotiations, I don’t do those negotiations, but our team that does will listen to them and we hope that we can get some resolution.”
Dietz’s bonus is part of a provision in his current three-year contract, according to board chair Julie Jones.
“These are things that were negotiated, just as most contracts are negotiated, so Dr. Dietz has a bonus review in his contract,” said Jones. “So it wouldn’t be fair for us not to do what we are supposed to do and committed to do in giving him a proper review, and if he’s meeting the goals and objectives set out for his bonus we have an obligation to honor his contract.”
In other business, trustees approved $5.5 million for a multicultural center at 301 South Main Street. The project will include meeting and program spaces, a kitchen, computer lab, and administrative offices for staff and student organizations. The school says the space should open this fall.
The board moved forward with a $4.1 million project to repair the Bone Student Center visitor parking lot, which will include resurfacing, new LED light poles, and a new parking payment ticketing system.
Trustees authorized $4.2 million to replace air handling units on the top of Watterson Towers. The units provide fresh air to all 28 stories of the building. Watterson will also get new furniture for suites, lounges, and other informal spaces at the tune of $1.6 million.
Meanwhile, the board approved a new bachelor’s degree in computer systems technology and $875,000 to hire consultants to plan for a new engineering program.
Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]
