Although Illinois Gov. James Thompson has yet to sign or veto a House Bill that would add an alumnus from NIU and Illinois State University, at Normal, to the Board of Regents, a list of nominees is in the making.

However, Ken Beasley, assistant to NIU President John La Tourette said, “I think it’s a little premature to make suggestions (of nominees) because the bill hasn’t been signed yet.”

As of July 11, Thompson had about 60 days to sign or veto House Bill 2842. The bill passed in the House May 8 by a vote of 113 to 0 and in the Senate by a vote of 57 to 1.

The Board of Regents governs NIU, ISU and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

“We are several steps away from making a decision (on a specific list of nominees),” said Susan Lund, NIU Alumni Association executive director.

But Thomas Montiegel, vice-president of NIU Development and University relations said there is a list of about 40 to 50 potential nominees to be given to La Tourette to look over and send to the governor so an appointee can be chosen.

Board members are appointed by Thompson to staggered four-year terms.

“We’re looking for people that will make a contribution to and bring an understanding of NIU to the Board of Regents,” Montiegel said. “Someone who cares about NIU and this region, someone who has demonstrated success in their own lives.”

“We have long been concerned that there haven’t been people from the northern Illinois region on the Board of Regents,” Montiegel said.

Neither NIU nor ISU currently has a representative of their own on the Board.

“I think it’s really unfortunate that we need a law to have an alumnus on the Board of Regents,” Montiegel said. No one will be excluded as a potential nominee and women and other minorities are being considered as well, he said.