The University Council approved a proposed search committee to select a new vice president for Student Affairs on Wednesday afternoon at the Holmes Student Center’s Sky Room.

The position previously was called the vice provost of Student Affairs but changed after Gary Gresholdt, the last person to hold the title, retired.

The 13-member committee will be chaired by Ivan Legg, the executive vice president and provost. Included on the committee will be two tenured faculty members, one dean, a member of the provost’s staff, a member of the Senior Cabinet and two students.

The two students will be chosen by Student Association President Shaun Crisler with the advice of Residence Hall Association President Keith Kruchten.

Originally, the proposal stated one student would be selected by the SA president and one would be chosen by the RHA president, but SA Speaker Andrew Nelms thinks both should be chosen by Crisler.

“The SA has always had both appointments,” Nelms said. “Why is one from the RHA?”

Nelms moved to have both appointments made by the SA.

Legg said he did not mind the change as long as Crisler and Kruchten conferred on the decision.

“I want to make sure we get some recommendations across campus,” Legg said.

The proposal was changed to read “Two students to be selected by the Student Association president with the advice of the Residence Hall Association president.”

If the committee does not have an appropriate representation of women and minorities after the selection process, Legg will make new appointments with consent of the committee.

“It’s important that the students have input into this,” NIU President John Peters said.

During Peters’ announcement, he said the budget still is uncertain and will be for some time.

“I think everyone hopes the economy turns around and revenue pours into the state coffers,” he said.

Peters assured the faculty they will see their expected 1.5 percent salary increase in January 2004.

During the holiday break, there will be an extended closing to save money. The university will shut down for 16 straight days this year and 10 days next year.

“This will save money and the extended shutdown has a cumulative effect,” Peters said.

Council members also showed their dislike for the Faculty Advisory Council’s proposal to reinstate the PQP (Priorities, Quality and Productivity) process. Patricia Henry, NIU’s representative to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, noted how the Faculty Senate opposed the proposal at last week’s meeting and asked for further comment.

Communication professor Angela Powers opposed the process and hopes it will not return.

Peters said he has not heard any talk in Springfield of reinstating the process, but does not want to give the IBHE any indication NIU wants the process to return.