In an attempt to create a strong partnership with the community, interim President Lou Hencken met Wednesday with several area leaders in hopes of creating a new “Presidential Cabinet.”

“The president is looking to extend outreach efforts to the community and meet with folks from the Charleston-Mattoon area,” Jill Nilsen, associate vice president for external relations, said. “It is a way for the community and the university to participate in cooperative ventures.”

Nilsen said the proposed plan was for the cabinet to meet twice a semester to discuss the university’s and the community’s opinions on how to better the area.

“The president wants to know what the community wants and be able to represent what the university wants,” she said.

Nilsen added that Wednesday’s meeting was a chance for the president to introduce his idea to start the cabinet and receive community feedback on the idea.

“Those in attendance thought it was a great idea,” Nilsen said.

Participants echoed Nilsen’s sentiments. Greg Staton, president of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce, attended the meeting and said what he got out of it was “nothing but positives.”

“It was very proactive on (Hencken’s) part to keep the university and the community working together more than they already are,” he said.

“I can’t stress how important that is.”

At the meeting, participants brought issues to be discussed at the next meeting, including student enrollment issues, campus construction issues, and the possibility of Eastern holding a state track meet, Nilsen said.

Those who also attended the meeting included Charleston Mayor Dan Cougill, Ted Wetekamp, superintendent of Charleston schools; Gary Barnett, executive director of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System; Dave Schilling, Mattoon City Council Member; Larry Rennels, Charleston City Council Member; and Joe Dively, vice president of Illinois Consolidated Telephone Co.