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Sponsored by 710 BookStore - - - http://www.seventen.com/Mr. Poshard goes to Springfield
SIU's new president revisits old colleagues, lobbies for UniversityDaily Egyptian
SPRINGFIELD - SIU President Glenn Poshard weaved through crowds, stopping occasionally to shake a hand or hug an old friend, as he and his staff worked to push the University's agenda at the state capital.
Flanked by his wife Jo, University lobbyist David Gross and SIU General Counsel Jerry Blakemore, Poshard caught up with old friends and promoted the University to the state government.
As he encountered colleagues from his days as a politician, the president would say, "Hey, how you doing pal?"
"With Glenn, I'm staying real busy," said Gross, who as SIU's chief officer in Springfield schedules Poshard's days in Springfield. "I'm wearing out my shoes."
Gross led the president as they moved quickly from meetings to a news conference to more meetings on Thursday, fighting for the University before the legislative session is expected to adjourn on April 7.
The stakes are high. With $40 million promised to Illinois universities by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, SIU stands to receive an allocation increase for the first time in almost five years. But, the size of the raise largely depends on state legislatures, a group with whom Poshard has much clout. He served for years in government before moving into higher education in 1999 after a failed bid for governor.
"I still know just about everybody up here," Poshard said. "It helps us open doors."
Answering to the committee
Some have worried putting a partisan leader at the helm of a non-partisan state institution would hurt requests for funding. While Poshard acknowledged his ties to the Democratic Party make lobbying easier with some, he said working with conservative politicians is not a problem for him.
"I never had conflicts with people on the other side," Poshard said. "When I was here I felt the people sent me up here to (work cooperatively)."
SIU's president reviewed handwritten notes and laughed quietly with his wife as he readied himself to address the Illinois General Assembly Appropriations-Higher Education Committee, which seats nine Democrats and seven Republicans.
Through tinted glasses, Poshard watched as Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb answered the representatives' questions. Goldfarb's hands fiddled with a small piece of paper as he pleaded his case.
Politicians implored Goldfarb to speak louder and pushed him to guess at questions when he could not definitively answer. When Goldfarb finished, Poshard spoke to the committee.
Nearly every inquiry representatives sent at Poshard was preceded by "welcome back" or "good to see you again", which Poshard responded to with friendly greetings. Then pleasantries turned into concerns.
On Feb. 13, Poshard teamed with the presidents of the eight other public Illinois universities to draft a letter to the governor asking him to protect various interests within higher education. Although the letter voiced support for proposed boosts, Poshard said he understands the challenge of increasing allocations without raising taxes.
"Having sat where you sit today, I'm well aware of the arguments that are out there," Poshard told them.
In the letter, university presidents applauded the governor's proposed sale of student loans to the private sector to support tax credits to help families pay college tuition. Some representatives said they feared the sale would lead to student exploitation. Others voiced concern about public universities becoming increasingly privatized.
Poshard said the presidents offered guidelines that will stop such occurrences. The letter called for increased support for many scholarships, no change to the terms of student loans and reduced interest rates for on-time payments.
Rep. Monique Davis, a Democrat from Chicago, asked him about tuition increase, saying she worried higher education was becoming inaccessible. Poshard assured her an increase would not exceed 10 percent.
Davis, a member of the black caucus, also said she feared SIU's agreement with the Justice Department to open three minority-only graduate fellowships to all students would damage already sagging black and Hispanic enrollment numbers.
Backed by the highest minority enrollment percentage in the state outside of Chicago, Poshard reaffirmed his commitment to diversity. Since the University settled with the Justice Department in early February, the president has repeatedly insisted he will diligently examine minority involvement within the University to make SIUC's population reflective of the state of Illinois.
Lobbying the ethanol bill
Back in the halls of the capitol building, Gross once again consulted a tattered half sheet of loose-leaf paper bearing Poshard's daily schedule.
Gross said they needed to get to the third floor; as the president started to climb the stairs, Gross redirected Poshard toward the elevator.
Poshard, 60, said he ran through Springfield for years, and the real endurance test will be heading to Washington, D.C., for the federal legislative session after the state meetings end in early April.
For now though, the SIU team continues to work hard in Springfield, promoting both University and regional interests. A bill to provide millions of dollars for ethanol research and set requirements for using motor fuels made from corn is pending in the legislature.
The bill would award a research facility on the Edwardsville campus $3 million initially and an additional $1 million a year for a decade. Farmers in rural downstate Illinois stand to benefit from the measure, which critics have said would damage the petroleum industry in Chicago.
Poshard encouraged Sen. James DeLeo, a Democrat from Chicago, to vote for the bill. Poshard greeted DeLeo with a hug and handshake, and the pair chatted briefly about old times.
"But listen, I know you're busy," Poshard told him. "I have a bill I'd like to talk about."
DeLeo said while he values environmentally friendly ethanol fuel, he was told petroleum business in the Chicago area would suffer a hit of about $12 million. Poshard said he was unsure if that number was right, and he told Gross to return with research.
Times to rest were scant - the group grabbed a quick sandwich between a news conference and a lobbying effort - but Poshard cleared time on his schedule to honor his predecessor. Poshard succeeded James Walker as president in January. Walker, who suffered from prostate cancer for more than 10 years, died Feb. 5.
The House of Representatives honored Walker with a resolution and a moment of silence. Lauding Walker, who was SIU's first black leader, for accomplishments ranging from construction projects to increased research grants, state representatives observed a moment of silence.
The always-bustling house floor quieted as all present stood, many folding their hands in respect.
Poshard said he will frame the resolution and present it to Walker's widow.
As the afternoon wore on, the SIU team shrank to just Poshard and Gross. With a leather folder of documents, Gross and Poshard continued moving between senator's offices and greeting old colleagues. For the first time all day, Poshard admitted to feeling tired.
"You know, you get used to this over the years, but I haven't done this for a while," Poshard said.
Before exhaustion could fully set in, Poshard found himself embracing yet another old friend, asking him "How've you been?"
The Daily Egyptian, the student-run newspaper of SIUC, is committed to being a trusted source of information, commentary and public discourse while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.
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. The Pulse, Carbondale Entertainment Guide, is published once a week on Thursday.Last update: Sunday, February 26, 2006 at 8:43:54 PM
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