The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

SIU President James Walker to help new governor

Ben Botkin

Daily Egyptian

SIU President James Walker is part of a team that will work with the new governor.

Walker will serve as the co-chair of Governor-elect Rod Blagovich's higher education transition committee, said Scott Kaiser, the SIU president's spokesman.

The committee members will examine issues of higher education and give Blagovich feedback and recommendations, Kaiser said. State Rep. Judy Erwin, D-Chicago, will also sit on the committee.

Kaiser said the transition team is a regular part of a new administration coming into power.

"Most new governors have a transition team where they ask a number of people to help them sort through issues," Kaiser said.

The committee is temporary and will focus on helping Blagovich when he first gets into office, Kaiser said.

He said committee members had preliminary organizational meetings last week, with more planned for the near future.

Walker was unavailable for further comment Monday.

Lucy Sloan, a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, said Walker's years of experience will be an asset to the committee.

"I think he'll be an excellent resource for the governor," she said.

Reporter Ben Botkin can be reached at bbotkin@dailyegyptian.com

Today's News | Sports | Voices - Editorial | Letters
Newsbriefs | pulse - Arts & Entertainment | Calendar | Photo Staff
Apts & Rentals | Photo Personals | Live DE NewsCam | Classified Ads

[Macro error: Can't include because the file is larger than 32767 characters.]
[Macro error: Can't include because the file is larger than 32767 characters.]