SIU president to be campus' interim chancellor too

CARBONDALE - Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn says he also will serve as the Carbondale campus' interim chancellor after the unexpected death of interim chancellor Paul Sarvela.

Sarvela died Nov. 9 while battling cancer. WSIU radio reports that Dunn made the announcement Tuesday in an email. Dunn says he met with SIU Board of Trustees Chairman Randal Thomas. Thomas told Dunn the board wants Dunn to be both president and chancellor while the school launches a national search for a permanent leader.

Dunn says the dual role will "have its challenges" but he says it's "workable for the period of time necessary for a thorough and comprehensive chancellor search."

Sarvela was serving as interim chancellor after former chancellor Rita Cheng departed for a job in Arizona.