BOT approves new legal counsel, receives report on large expenses

NIU+President+John+Peters+speaks+at+a+past+Board+of+Trustees+meeting.+

NIU President John Peters speaks at a past Board of Trustees meeting.

By Kyla Gardner

The Board of Trustees also reviewed the following items:

– Jerry Blakemore will be the next vice president of University Legal Services and general counsel. He will take the position on April 1 and is filling the vacancy left by Kenneth Davidson, who retired in December. He received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and studied law at John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

– The board received a report detailing 10 transactions that totaled over $1.3 million. Expenditures included: a marketing program for the MBA in the College of Business; the search to fill the position of general counsel; $125,000 for the search for a head football coach and $235,600 for lodging, meals and airfare for the Huskies to attend the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho in December.

– New emphases were added to two bachelor’s degrees. Students working toward a mechanical engineering degree can now get an emphasis in sustainable energy, while those studying public health can get emphases in environment and health or health promotion.

– New minors in international marketing and deafness rehabilitation were added. The specialization in comparative and developmental administration within the master’s of public administration was deleted.

– Sabbatical leaves for 41 professional staff members and one supportive professional staff member were approved.