SIU trustees oppose system split and reallocation of funds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Southern Illinois University board of trustees is now on record opposing a proposal to split the system in two.

During a special meeting Wednesday in Springfield, the board passed a resolution opposing legislation introduced by Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, to separate SIU-Carbondale and SIU-Edwardsville. The legislation would establish new boards for each campus.

Hoffman introduced the legislation in April as tension escalated between the two campuses after the board failed to pass a funding reallocation proposal. It would have transferred $5.1 million from Carbondale to Edwardsville.

The board also voted to oppose a bill introduced by Democratic Rep. Katie Stuart of Edwardsville that would mandate an equal allocation of state appropriations between the Carbondale and Edwardsville campuses. Currently, about 64 percent of state funding goes to Carbondale and 36 percent to Edwardsville.