Stukel bemoans funding hardships

Excerpt:

One thing that has not changed since Stukel took office is the divisive debate over the Urbana-Champaign campus' athletic mascot, Chief Illiniwek. Stukel hasn't taken a public position on whether the portrayal of the Chief should remain part of campus life or be retired, leaving it to the Board of Trustees to decide, and he won't now.

"There would be no positive outcome or good reason for me to jump into that issue as I leave the presidency," he said. "I think it's a tough enough issue."

Blog editors note: University of Illinois does not have a mascot. Chief Illiniwek is the official symbol of the University of Illinois.

The Board of Trustees' longest serving member steps down

One of the most contentious issues Gindorf's replacement will face is the debate over Chief Illiniwek.

Leslie Van Buren, a co-coordinator with the Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative, a group that opposes the Chief, said she hoped that "the person who takes (Gindorf's) place is committed and attentive to issues like the Chief and other issues of racial justice."

Phone calls to Nick Klitzing, president of Students for Chief Illiniwek, seeking comment were not returned. Roger Huddleston, president of the Honor the Chief society, was not available for comment Sunday.

Note - CH.I.E.F. was not contacted for comment!