The SIU Board of Trustees Thursday approved incentive bonuses for System President Dan Mahony and SIU-Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane.
Mahony's bonus totals $115,000 and Lane's totals $65,000.
Board Chair Phil Gilbert said he considers Mahony one of the best system leaders in SIU's history.
“Having known and observed all past presidents, I can honestly say that in the short three years Dr. Mahony has been here, after Delyte Morris, because I think Dr. Morris is in a class by himself, he (Mahony) is one of the best presidents the SIU System has had.”
But, a graduate and research assistant at the SIU School of Medicine said he takes exception to incentive bonuses while he and other GA's have to get by on less than $1,700 per month.
“An increase of just $1,000 in take home pay for a graduate student would have a far greater impact on the quality of life and reduction of stress than raises or bonuses for say 20, 30 or even $150,000 for members of this Board.”
He went on to say he's on SNAP benefits and state insurance because he cannot afford the insurance offered by SIU.
President Mahony commented on the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the consideration of race in admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina is unconstitutional.
This means selective colleges will have to rethink what they can do going forward to maintain a racially diverse student population or to increase diversity.
At Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting, Mahony said he is waiting for guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on how best to proceed.
“I think any change or major decision before that would certainly be premature, although we certainly have seen universities across the country already announce and make changes. From our perspective, that would be too early to do. I think once we have that (guidance) we can determine if there is anything we need to change and how we might adjust things.”
Despite the ruling, Mahony emphasized SIU's commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
The guidance from the U.S. Department of Education could come by mid-August.
The Trustees approved a resolution recognizing the career of Mike Reis, the longtime Voice of the Salukis, who recently stepped down after 44 years broadcasting SIU football, basketball and baseball.
Reis thanked the Board for recognizing his work and he wanted them to know about the vast reach of Saluki Radio, which has produced several dozen contributors in the communications industry.
“When I look back, sure there have been great games. There have been great people. But the people and the fact that we have people in the business, and of those 80 to 85 only two don’t have undergrad degrees from SIU. I’m very, very proud of that. I’d like to make you guys aware of that.”
Reis called over 500 SIU football games and 1,300 Saluki basketball games.
He was inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame in 2005, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006 and the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
