Rift over SIU board forces canceled meeting

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A scheduled meeting of the Southern Illinois University system's board fizzled because Gov. Pat Quinn's bid to replace three of the panel's members didn't leave enough members to convene.

WSIU Radio (http://bit.ly/Z3AnMr) reports that Thursday's meeting was canceled when there wasn't a required quorum.

That came a day after the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly rejected Quinn's appointments of three replacements for three board members whose terms expired last month.

Wednesday's failed ratification vote continues a year-old power struggle at SIU.

The rift dates to early last year when the SIU board refused to give Quinn-appointed Roger Herrin another term as chairman. The board contended he was too involved in day-to-day operations. Those who voted to oust Herrin included the three members Quinn replaced this week.

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Information from: WSIU-FM.