College of DuPage president takes medical leave

College of DuPage President Robert Breuder will take a medical leave effective Wednesday, the college announced late Tuesday.

Breuder is taking an approved leave under the Family Medical and Leave Act, under policies of the college that apply to FMLA leave for any college employee, College of DuPage spokesman Randall Samborn said.

The announcement comes the same day as the newly elected college board of trustees released an agenda for its first meeting Thursday, during which it was to consider placing Breuder on paid administrative leave.

The agenda indicates the board was also to consider appointing as interim college president Joseph Collins, who currently serves as the college’s executive vice president, according to the College of DuPage website.

Breuder’s medical leave does not require the approval of the board of trustees, Samborn said.

Breuder has led the college for the last six years. He became a center of controversy in January after the board of trustees at the time voted to reaffirm a deal awarding him a $762,000 severance package. He had planned to retire next March, three years before his contract ends in 2019.

Hundreds of people, including many who opposed the deal, attended a meeting before the board voted 6-1 to approve that deal.