NIU appointed an acting director of purchasing to replace the current director for personnel reasons, and officials have closed their doors to the public about the replacement.

Norden Gilbert, acting director of purchasing and associate legal counsel, was appointed to the position by James Harder, vice president of Business and Operations.

“I’m flattered that I was asked” but “it was not a job I wanted or sought,” Gilbert said.

Don Widick, former director of purchasing, was transferred to a position as special assistant to the director of the physical plant, Gilbert said.

However, the reason for Widick’s transfer is an issue officials will not discuss.

“That’s a personnel matter and I don’t want to discuss that,” Harder said.

“As a personnel matter, it’s not something appropriate for him (Harder) or me to discuss,” Gilbert said. In Illinois, the right to privacy has been ruled more important than peoples’ right to know, he said.

Widick also said, “At this point, I don’t think its appropriate” and it probably will not be appropriate for a few weeks. “We’re not going to discuss any of this situation.”

Gilbert said he will be taking over the position until the administration finds a permanent replacement, which might range from two to six months.

“Some things will have to be deferred” until returning to his job as legal counsel, he said. “I’m depending very heavily on the staff in both offices,” he said. “It’s definitely two full-time jobs.”