Spring Break
Bergman continues to await reappointment
Mary Yurgil
Issue date: 8/25/05 Section: News
Last semester the seats of several ISU Board of Trustees members, one being Jay D. Bergman, expired and have been awaiting approval by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Bergman, president and owner of Petco Petrolium Corp., has received attention for his reappointment, which has caused many students and organizations to voice their opinions.
"It's not about him personally, it's about his environmental transgressions," Amy Butterworth, a senior political science major and a member of the Student Environmental Action Coalition, said.
"They can say anything they like... they have the ability of free speech," Bergman said. "But if they want to discuss it they should get all the facts."
SEAC began petitioning and collecting student signatures last semester when it was discovered that more than a year ago one of Bergman's oil companies accidentally spilled saltwater when drilling.
Saltwater is used in the oil drilling process to help pump the oil and is poisonous to freshwater life, according to Butterworth. The petition, which has yet to be turned in to the state, asks that Bergman not be reappointed to the Board of Trustees.
SEAC had hoped to have the petition brought to the attention of the state by now but have been delayed in their actions.
They wrote a letter asking to come to Springfield where they could present the petition but were denied the request because the dates they wanted to travel were not dates anyone could be there for them to speak with.
Instead, SEAC plans to set aside "two or three weeks in the beginning of September to meet and turn in the petition," Butterworth said.
"Our rationale is that... if Bergman can't [be a part of ISU's Educating Illinois] upon the environment in which his business practices, then how is he supposed to partake in that for the university?" Butterworth asked.
The term of each member on the board is six years and then they are up for reappointment by the governor.
Bergman's term was officially up at the end of last year but since the governor has not made any decisions about the status of any members up for reappointment, they continue to sit and participate at the meetings.
Bergman is confident he will be reappointed and that the situations surrounding his company will not prevent him from remaining at ISU.
"I think that I will be reappointed but not until [the governor] makes the final decision," Bergman said.
Bergman is still a full member of the board, participating and attending the monthly meetings. Until he is notified as otherwise, his responsibilities and role at the school have not changed.
The governor's press office was not available for comment at press time.
Bergman, president and owner of Petco Petrolium Corp., has received attention for his reappointment, which has caused many students and organizations to voice their opinions.
"It's not about him personally, it's about his environmental transgressions," Amy Butterworth, a senior political science major and a member of the Student Environmental Action Coalition, said.
"They can say anything they like... they have the ability of free speech," Bergman said. "But if they want to discuss it they should get all the facts."
SEAC began petitioning and collecting student signatures last semester when it was discovered that more than a year ago one of Bergman's oil companies accidentally spilled saltwater when drilling.
Saltwater is used in the oil drilling process to help pump the oil and is poisonous to freshwater life, according to Butterworth. The petition, which has yet to be turned in to the state, asks that Bergman not be reappointed to the Board of Trustees.
SEAC had hoped to have the petition brought to the attention of the state by now but have been delayed in their actions.
They wrote a letter asking to come to Springfield where they could present the petition but were denied the request because the dates they wanted to travel were not dates anyone could be there for them to speak with.
Instead, SEAC plans to set aside "two or three weeks in the beginning of September to meet and turn in the petition," Butterworth said.
"Our rationale is that... if Bergman can't [be a part of ISU's Educating Illinois] upon the environment in which his business practices, then how is he supposed to partake in that for the university?" Butterworth asked.
The term of each member on the board is six years and then they are up for reappointment by the governor.
Bergman's term was officially up at the end of last year but since the governor has not made any decisions about the status of any members up for reappointment, they continue to sit and participate at the meetings.
Bergman is confident he will be reappointed and that the situations surrounding his company will not prevent him from remaining at ISU.
"I think that I will be reappointed but not until [the governor] makes the final decision," Bergman said.
Bergman is still a full member of the board, participating and attending the monthly meetings. Until he is notified as otherwise, his responsibilities and role at the school have not changed.
The governor's press office was not available for comment at press time.