Despite all the negative words spouted through the years about Board of Regents members, one good thing can be said in their defense—at least they remain loyal.

Well, maybe not always loyal to the universities they govern. And maybe they often forget how to look out for what’s best for students. But one thing is for sure, they take care of their own.

The latest episode popped into the picture in mid-December, just before school shut down for the holidays. This incident is the latest in a history of stretching the law to provide questionable university presidents with cushy jobs tied to an outrageous salary.

After spending hours in closed-session discussions, the Regents opened the doors and announced Sangamon State University President Durward Long was “selected” as the newly-created vice chancellor for Strategic Planning and Development.

Although the announcement was made the next day, the Regents claim they did not make a decision during executive session—that, of course, would be illegal.

But setting aside the question of whether the Regents acted in blatant disregard of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, one has to wonder what the Regents consider when promoting one of their colleagues.

NIU’s record with the Regents alone tells the story. When a university president embezzles state funds, the Regents set him up with some research projects and a political science class. Obviously worth the $80,000 annual salary.

Now Long comes into the picture with a slightly different angle to his resume.

For more than five years, Long’s reputation has been smeared with allegations of sexual harassment toward female SSU students. One woman filed charges against Long in 1986, but they were dismissed two years later.

And the charges didn’t stop there. Seven faculty members accused Long of being responsible for a “hostile, offensive, intimidating working environment.”

So now after five years of lawyers, allegations and 60 days in alcoholism rehabilitation, the Regents decided to ban together and reward this outstanding figurehead with a promotion— including the continuation of his $84,000 and $6,000 auto allowance. The money will come out of SSU’s budget.

Chancellor Roderick Groves is quick to support Long and this reassignment, saying he doubts anyone in the state can come close to matching Long’s successful administrative record.

Groves and the other Regents are so confident in Long’s abilities, they felt conducting a state-wide search was unnecessary at this point.

An act such as this by the Regents causes one to lose any remaining hope for the future of the Regency universities.

Promoting a man whose name brings images to mind of young girls backsides getting pinched at parties and treating his employees in an undignified manner is repulsive.

The Regents should stop embarrassing the universities they govern by promoting alleged criminals like Long and start making a valid effort to clean up their politics.