DeKALB | In an unusually lengthy end-of-semester meeting, the NIU Board of Trustees discussed a variety of topics Thursday morning, ranging from property acquisition to the Poinsettia Bowl.

Proton therapy

The first items to be passed allowed for bidding on specialized equipment for NIU’s in-progress proton therapy cancer treatment facility in West Chicago. The equipment will provide the technical and medical framework for the center, which will treat pediatric, prostate, and cancers of the head and neck, as well as ophthalmological disorders, which affect eyesight. The facility is estimated to cost $120 million and to open in 2011.

Personnel

A mid-year 1 percent salary increase package for faculty and staff was also passed. The purpose of the increase is to keep salaries competitive and to retain faculty, said NIU President John Peters.

“This is certainly well-deserved,” said student trustee Andrew Nelms.

The salary increase package will receive funding through the 2007 fiscal year budget. It will be the first increase in six years to be approved by the state.

Additionally, Kenneth Davidson, formerly the association vice president and general counsel, was named vice president by unanimous vote.

Property acquisition

The Board approved a resolution to enter negotiations with the United Methodist Church for the former Wesley Foundation and United Campus Ministries building at 633 Locust St., located by the NIU Parking Deck. The price negotiations will reflect NIU’s interest to renovate the building and to use it for a central advising location, Peters said.

Poinsettia Bowl

The Board later passed a resolution allowing entry into negotiation for upcoming Poinsettia Bowl costs. Eddie Williams, vice president of Operations, Finance and Facilities, said he will report the results of the negotiations at the next Board meeting in March.

NIU football coach Joe Novak and running back Garrett Wolfe were present to speak on behalf of the team.

Projects

The Board approved an energy maintenance renovation program and also approved a presentation by the architects of the Northern View Community, a residence for students with dependents expected to be completed and ready for use by 2007. Even before construction began, the residence already has 22 applicants, said Brian Hemphill, vice president of Student Affairs.