University Council pushed forward a proposal to extend the employment periods for two interim vice presidents Wednesday.

Jerry Blazey, interim vice president for Research and Innovation Partnerships, and Harlan Teller, interim vice president for Marketing and Communications, may remain in their respective roles for another year if the Board of Trustees approves their extensions on Dec. 10. NIU President Doug Baker said the extensions would prevent the university from, among other reasons, having to add to searches already underway for four dean positions and an associate vice president position — a process that has cost NIU half a million dollars this year, according to the most recent Board of Trustees Finance, Facilities and Operations committee quarterly summary report for transactions in the excess of $100,000.

Blazey’s base salary for the Fiscal Year 2015 is $38,583.78 with $32,474.29 in additional compensation and Teller’s base salary is $250,000.08, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education.