During Thursday’s Board of Trustee meeting, members approved the extension of President B. Joseph White’s contract by 18 months.

He entered into the agreement with the University of Illinois on February 1, 2005 in a contract that was scheduled to end in January of 2010. The newly extended contract will last until June of 2011.

According to the document into which White signed in 2005, his salary is $450,000 annually. The contract that the Board approved Thursday extended the contract, but did not yet alter any other provisions in his existing contract.

Chairman of the Board, Lawrence Eppley expressed the Board’s confidence in White.

“I want to thank you for your commitment to the University, and we’re glad you’re here,” Eppley said.