In a speech typical of the rhetoric of the Board of Regents, the president of Sangamon State University apologized for the embarrassment caused by the publicity surrounding his leave of absence for alcoholism and the charges of sexual harassment filed against him by seven SSU professors.

But just what do SSU President Durward Long’s problems have to do with NIU? SSU is under the control of the Regents, the same governing board that oversees NIU and Illinois State University.

Long returned to SSU last week after a 60-day medical leave of absense for alcohol abuse and extreme fatigue. Long took the leave after two female students claimed he made advances toward them while he was intoxicated.

And not even two weeks after returning, SSU has made national news with the new charges and Long’s apology for appearing drunk in public.

SSU’s student Regent, Brian Hopkins, summed up Long’s response to the charges best when he said the president keeps apologizing but is not admitting anything.

Long is the newest in a series of Regency presidents to make the wrong kind of news for the Regents and the universities they govern.

The behavior of Long and other past Regency presidents seriously calls to question the ability of the board to hire a university leader.

SSU’s student newspaper has called on Gov. James Thompson to fire the Regents. That editorial is long overdue.

The Human Rights Department is investigating the charges against Long. Perhaps the governor should investigate the people who hired him as well.