Accusations of nepotism on John A. Logan’s Board of Trustees is a heated issue in the race for two open seats on the board, especially for challenger Mike Vanhorn.
"I think I've pretty well based my entire campaign on that one question," VanHorn says.
However, incumbent Jim Snider says the college is following policies against nepotism.
"That is a concern that people have about nepotism at John A. Logan college," Snider says. "Right now, that is not the case. That is not the problem."
"That is a concern that people have about nepotism at John A. Logan college," Snider says. "Right now, that is not the case. That is not the problem."
His son works for the university, but Snider says he was hired eight years before the elder Snider was named to the board.
Incumbent John O’Keefe’s son also works for the university, and he says he’s never pressured administrators to give him any undeserved perks.
"You're welcome to ask any Vice President or President that's ever been at this college since I've been here, and if you can find one that says that I've gone to speak to them about my son's career, I will apologize," O'Keefe says. "But, it's never happened."
"You're welcome to ask any Vice President or President that's ever been at this college since I've been here, and if you can find one that says that I've gone to speak to them about my son's career, I will apologize," O'Keefe says. "But, it's never happened."
Challenger Chuck Hamilton says nepotism won’t be a problem if he is elected.
"I won't ask you to hire my wife," Hamilton says. "She's retired and she wouldn't work if you offered it to her."
All candidates expressed the need for transparency with the board.
Raising revenue to make up for the state's lack of funds to the school was also addressed several times. The state owes the college around $6 million.
Candidate Cheryl Graff says raising tuition shouldn't be the way to make up that difference.
"Even though I know we have to meet budgets, we also have to take into account our students, and the difficulties some students have in paying that tuition," Graff says.
"Even though I know we have to meet budgets, we also have to take into account our students, and the difficulties some students have in paying that tuition," Graff says.
Incumbent board member Jim Snider defended those recent tuition hikes,. He says the school desperately needs the money to help with upgrades to the college, including new computers that have already been installed.
"We were using Nintendo when everyone else was using Xbox," Snider says.
"We were using Nintendo when everyone else was using Xbox," Snider says.
Challenger Bill Kilquist says cuts should be made, and the first place he would cut is the athletics budget.
VanHorn disagrees.
"The sports page is the best publicity that this college has received," Vanhorn says.
VanHorn disagrees.
"The sports page is the best publicity that this college has received," Vanhorn says.
He says there’s no need to make cuts anywhere, and challenger Russell Williams agrees. He says streamlining the operations staff and administration will make the school run more efficiently.
"But ultimately, we need to look at alternative funding," Williams says.
He says the school needs to be aggressive pursuing relationships with local businesses not only for funding, but for help with job placement with graduates.
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