Final chancellor candidate visits campus

The last of two finalists in the chancellor search made a presentation to the university community Monday, and now the search committee will prepare to make a recommendation to SIU President Glenn Poshard.

Barbara Couture, senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said she is a leader who has the ability to make tough decisions.

“I do think of myself as a leader who consults, but then decides,” Couture said.

Couture said she would hear everyone’s voice and have the ability to make controversial decisions.

Tom Britton, co-chairman of the search committee, said talks with administrators from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have confirmed that Couture would make a strong chancellor.

“I’m sure she’s grown a little weary of telephone calls saying, ‘I just talked with so-and so from Southern Illinois University,’” Britton said. “But those telephone conversations have confirmed our view that she is an extraordinary leader.”

Britton said each member of the search committee had the responsibility of talking to his or her counterpart at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Couture said she is interested in coming to SIUC because it is an open and inviting campus.

“I’ve found this to be a very collegial campus,” Couture said. “I had an opportunity to visit campus earlier in the year, and all of the folks I met there were very positive about the university.”

Couture said SIUC has its challenges, but nothing more extreme than any other public university.

Couture said she also likes what she has seen of the Saluki Way project, and athletics are an important part of a university.

“Faculty sometimes are concerned that we give too much attention to athletics, but they are a very strong experience for students on campus, and they are how alumni also connect to a university,” Couture said.

Along with competing for the university’s chancellor position, Couture is also a finalist for the presidency at New Mexico State University.

Steve Middleton, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Council and member of the search committee, said Couture would have to curb the rising cost of tuition for students.

“Students have expressed their concern about their ability to afford their education here,” Middleton said.

Couture said she would strive to create programs more affordable for students.

“Tuition is not sky-high here, but it’s a little higher than it is at Nebraska,” Couture said. “That’s a concern for the population you have here.”

Couture also addressed the university’s struggle with retention.

She said implementing more online courses and enhancing the undergraduate experience could help retain students.

“They’re looking for an experience when they come to college,” Couture said. “Not just to get a degree.”

Stile Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 259 or sts34@siu.edu