Dear Members of the Campus Community,

A few minutes ago, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted to approve a negotiated agreement with Dr. Steven Salaita. Under the mutual agreement, Dr. Salaita will receive a lump-sum payment of $600,000 from the university, and he will not join the faculty. In addition, the university will pay his attorneys’ fees. The settlement reflects our belief that Dr. Salaita and his family should be compensated for the financial disruption they experienced.

This agreement represents an important step forward in our efforts to see the AAUP censure lifted – a goal President Tim Killeen and I are both committed to achieving as soon as possible.

I hope this settlement also brings some closure to a difficult and challenging time for our entire community. We have spent a good deal of time debating the decisions of the past. I think we have the chance now to focus our collective energy on bringing the campus back together and on the choices we must make for our future.

I remain focused on our goals of excellence in teaching, research and public engagement, and I am satisfied this agreement will allow Dr. Salaita to move forward with his academic career.

For more information on the Board action, please visit http://go.uillinois.edu/SalaitaSettlement

Best,

Barbara J. Wilson
Interim Chancellor