Edgar Filing: VAN KAMPEN SENIOR INCOME TRUST

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:

[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Com-
mission Only (as permitted
by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

VAN KAMPEN SENIOR INCOME TRUST

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X] No fee required.

[ ] Fee computed per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

-- MAY 2003 --
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
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TO VAN KAMPEN
SENIOR INCOME TRUST SHAREHOLDERS
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Although we recommend that you read the complete Proxy Statement, for your
convenience, we have provided a brief overview of the issues to be voted on.
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Q WHY IS A SHAREHOLDER MEETING BEING HELD?

A The Van Kampen Senior Income Trust is a closed-end fund traded on the New
York Stock Exchange and is required to hold an annual meeting of
shareholders.

Q WHAT PROPOSAL WILL BE VOTED ON?

A You are being asked to elect nominees for the Board of Trustees.

Q WILL MY VOTE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

A Yes, your vote is important and will make a difference no matter how many
shares you own. We encourage all shareholders to participate in the
governance of their funds.

Q HOW DOES THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE?

A The Board recommends that you vote "FOR EACH" of the nominees on the
enclosed proxy card.

Q WHERE DO I CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION?

A Please call Van Kampen's Client Relations Department at 1-800-341-2929
(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf users may call 1-800-421-2833) or
visit our website at www.vankampen.com, where you can send us an e-mail
message by selecting "Contact Us."

ABOUT THE PROXY CARD
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Please vote on each issue using blue or black ink to mark an X in one of the
boxes provided on the proxy card.

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES - mark "FOR EACH," "WITHHOLD" or "FOR EACH EXCEPT."

To withhold authority to vote for any one or more individual nominee(s), check
"FOR EACH EXCEPT" and write the nominee's name in the line below.

Sign, date and return the proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. All
registered owners of an account, as shown in the address, must sign the card.
When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, custodian, guardian
or corporate officer, please indicate your full title.

[ ] PLEASE MARK
X VOTES AS IN
THIS EXAMPLE

VAN KAMPEN SENIOR INCOME TRUST
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

FOR FOR EACH
EACH WITHHOLD EXCEPT

1. Authority to vote [ ] [ ] [ ]
for the election as
Class X Trustees
the nominees named
below:

XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXX

To withhold authority to vote for either
nominee, check "For Each Except" and write the
nominee's name on the line below.
----------------------------------
2. To transact such other business as may
properly come before the Meeting.

Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy, Date

Shareholder sign here Co-owner sign here

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
SAMPLE

VAN KAMPEN SENIOR INCOME TRUST

1 PARKVIEW PLAZA
OAKBROOK TERRACE, ILLINOIS 60181-5555
TELEPHONE (800) 341-2929

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD JUNE 24, 2003

Notice is hereby given to the shareholders of Van Kampen Senior Income Trust
(the "Fund") that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund (the "Meeting")
will be held at the offices of Van Kampen Investments Inc., 1 Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555, on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at 2:30 p.m.,
for the following purposes:

1. To elect two Class II Trustees, each to serve a three-year
term or until a successor is elected and qualified.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 25, 2003 are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof.

By order of the Board of Trustees

A. THOMAS SMITH III,
Vice President and Secretary
May 23, 2003

THE FUND WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT
AND ITS MORE RECENT SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO ANY SHAREHOLDER UPON REQUEST. ANY SUCH
REQUEST SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE FUND BY CALLING 1-800-341-2929 OR BY WRITING
TO THE FUND AT 1 PARKVIEW PLAZA, PO BOX 5555, OAKBROOK TERRACE, ILLINOIS
60181-5555.

SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. IF YOU
DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON
THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, DATE AND SIGN THE PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE
ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH IS ADDRESSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND NEEDS NO POSTAGE
IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

IN ORDER TO AVOID THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION, WE ASK THAT
YOU MAIL YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.

The Board of Trustees of the Fund recommends that you cast your vote:

- FOR EACH of the nominees for the Board of Trustees listed in the Proxy
Statement.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN.

PROXY STATEMENT

VAN KAMPEN SENIOR INCOME TRUST

1 PARKVIEW PLAZA
OAKBROOK TERRACE, ILLINOIS 60181-5555
TELEPHONE (800) 341-2929

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

JUNE 24, 2003

INTRODUCTION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Trustees (the "Trustees" or the "Board") of the Van Kampen Senior
Income Trust (the "Fund") of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of the Fund, and all adjournments thereof (the "Meeting"), to be
held at the offices of Van Kampen Investments Inc., 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook
Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555, on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. The
approximate mailing date of this Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy
is May 28, 2003.

The purpose of the Meeting is to permit the Fund's shareholders to elect two
Class II Trustees.

Participating in the Meeting are holders of common shares of beneficial
interest (the "Shares") of the Fund. The Board has fixed the close of business
on April 25, 2003 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination
of holders of Shares of the Fund entitled to vote at the Meeting. At the close
of business on April 25, 2003, there were issued and outstanding 180,010,000
Shares of the Fund.

VOTING

Shareholders of the Fund on the Record Date are entitled to one vote per Share
with respect to any proposal submitted to the shareholders of the Fund, with no
Share having cumulative voting rights.

With respect to the election of Trustees, those nominees receiving the highest
number of votes "FOR," cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present in person
or by proxy, up to the number of Trustees proposed to be elected, shall be
elected as Trustees to serve three-year terms or until their successors are
elected and qualified.

The Board of Trustees of the Fund recommends that you cast your vote:

- FOR EACH of the nominees for the Board of Trustees listed in the Proxy
Statement.

All properly executed proxies received prior to the Meeting will be voted at
the Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. Proxies received
prior to the Meeting on which no vote is indicated will be voted "FOR" the
proposal as to which they are entitled to be voted. A shareholder who abstains
from voting on any or all matters will be deemed present at the Meeting for
quorum purposes, but will not be deemed to have voted on the particular matter
(or matters) as to which the shareholder has abstained. Similarly, in the event
a nominee (such as a brokerage firm) holding shares for beneficial owners
indicates that instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners
and the nominee does not exercise discretionary authority (a so-called "broker
non-vote"), the Shares held by the nominee will be deemed present at the Meeting
for quorum purposes but will not be deemed to have voted on the particular
matter (or matters) as to which the nominee has not voted. With respect to the
election of Trustees, abstentions and broker non-votes are disregarded since
only votes "FOR" are considered in determining those persons receiving the
highest number of votes "FOR" cast. A majority of the outstanding Shares must be
present in person or by proxy to have a quorum to conduct business at the
Meeting.

Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are
voted by filing with the Fund a written notice of revocation, by delivering a
duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending the Meeting and voting
in person.

The Fund knows of no business other than the election of Trustees that will be
presented for consideration at the Meeting. If any other matters are properly
presented, it is the intention of the persons named on the enclosed proxy to
vote proxies in accordance with their best judgment. In the event a quorum is
present at the Meeting but sufficient votes to approve any of the proposals are
not received, proxies (including abstensions and non-votes) would be voted in
favor of one or more adjournments of the Meeting of the Fund to permit further
solicitation of proxies provided they determine that such an adjournment and
additional solicitation is reasonable and in the interest of shareholders based
on a consideration of all relevant factors, including the nature of the relevant
proposal, the percentage of votes then cast, the percentage of negative votes
then cast, the nature of the proposed solicitation activities and the nature of
the reasons for such further solicitation.

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. serves as investment adviser to the Fund
("Advisory Corp." or the "Adviser"). The principal business address of the
Adviser is 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555. The Adviser
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. ("Van Kampen"). Van
Kampen is one of the nation's largest investment management companies, with more
than $66 billion in assets under management or supervision as of March 31, 2003.
Van Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

The Fund has entered into an administration agreement and a legal services
agreement with Van Kampen. Van Kampen's principal business address is 1 Parkview
Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555. The Fund has also entered an
accounting services agreement with Advisory Corp.

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

Shareholders of the Fund are being asked to elect two Class II Trustees (Rod
Dammeyer and Wayne W. Whalen) at the Meeting to serve until the later of the
Fund's Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2006 or until their successors have
been duly elected and qualified.

As in the past, only one class of trustees is being submitted to shareholders
for election at the Meting. The Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that
the Board of Trustees shall consist of Trustees divided into three classes, the
classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. The Trustees of only one
class are elected at each annual meeting so that the regular term of only one
class of Trustees will expire annually and any particular Trustee stands for
election only once in each three-year period. This type of classification may
prevent replacement of a majority of Trustees of the Fund for up to a two-year
period. The foregoing is subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), applicable state law based on the state of
organization of the Fund, the Fund's Declaration of Trust and the Fund's Bylaws.

INFORMATION REGARDING TRUSTEES

The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the
Board of Trustees. The tables below list the Trustees, their principal
occupations during the last five years, other directorships held by them and
their affiliations, if any, with the Adviser, Van Kampen Asset Management Inc.
("Asset Management"), Van Kampen, Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen Advisors
Inc., Van Kampen Exchange Corp. and Van Kampen Investor Services, Inc. The
Adviser and Asset Management sometimes are referred to herein collectively as
the "Advisers." The term "Fund Complex" includes each of the investment
companies advised by the Advisers. Trustees of the Fund generally serve
three-year terms or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. All
nominees have consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and have agreed
to serve if elected.

The proposed slate of Trustees consists of the seven incumbent Trustees, each
of whom serves, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, as a trustee or managing
general partner of 37 Van Kampen-related funds in the Fund Complex (the
"Closed-End Fund Complex"). Two of the incumbent Trustees are "interested
persons" of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and
are hereinafter referred to as "Interested Trustees." The Interested Trustees
also serve as trustees/directors of 55 other Van Kampen-related funds in the
Fund Complex (the "Open-End Fund Complex"). The other five incumbent Trustees
are considered independent under the 1940 Act and are hereinafter referred to as
"Independent Trustees."

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
TERM OF CLOSED-END
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN
OF TRUSTEE FUNDS SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE

David C. Arch(1) (57) Trustee 1998 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 37
Blistex Inc. Blistex Inc., a consumer health care
1800 Swift Drive products manufacturer, and former Director
Oak Brook, IL 60523 of the World Presidents
Organization-Chicago Chapter. Trustee or
Managing General Partner of other funds in
the Closed-End Fund Complex.

NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE

David C. Arch(1) (57) Director of the Heartland
Blistex Inc. Alliance, a nonprofit
1800 Swift Drive organization serving human
Oak Brook, IL 60523 needs based in Chicago.

Rod Dammeyer(2) (62) Trustee 1998 President of CAC, llc., a private company 37
CAC, llc. offering capital investment and management
4350 LaJolla Village advisory services. Trustee or Managing
Drive General Partner of other funds in the
Suite 980 Closed-End Fund Complex. Prior to February
San Diego, CA 92122-6223 2001, Vice Chairman and Director of Anixter
International, Inc. and IMC Global Inc.
Prior to July 2000, Managing Partner of
Equity Group Corporate Investment (EGI), a
company that makes private investments in
other companies.

NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE

Rod Dammeyer(2) (62) Director of TeleTech
CAC, llc. Holdings Inc., Stericycle,
4350 LaJolla Village Inc., TheraSense, Inc., GATX
Drive Corporation, Arris Group,
Suite 980 Inc. and Trustee of the
San Diego, CA 92122-6223 University of Chicago
Hospitals and Health
Systems. Prior to May 2002,
Director of Peregrine
Systems Inc. Prior to July
2000, Director of Allied
Riser Communications Corp.,
Matria Healthcare Inc.,
Transmedia Networks, Inc.,
CNA Surety, Corp. and Grupo
Azcarero Mexico (GAM). Prior
to April 1999, Director of
Metal Management, Inc. Prior
to 1998, Director of Lukens,
Inc., Capsure Holdings
Corp., Revco D.S., Inc., the
Chase Manhattan Corporation
National Advisory Board and
Sealy, Inc.

Howard J Kerr(1) (67) Trustee 1998 Trustee or Managing General Partner of 37
736 North Western Avenue other funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex.
P.O. Box 317 Prior to 1998, President and Chief
Lake Forest, IL 60045 Executive Officer of Pocklington
Corporation, Inc., an investment holding
company.
Theodore A. Myers(3) (72) Trustee 1998 Financial consultant. Trustee or Managing 37
550 Washington Avenue General Partner of other funds in the
Glencoe, IL 60022 Closed-End Fund Complex. Prior to 1998,
Senior Financial Advisor (and, prior to
1997, an Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Director) of
Qualitech Steel Corporation, a producer of
high quality engineered steels for
automotive, transportation and capital
goods industries. Prior to 1997, member of
the Arthur Andersen Chief Financial
Officers' Advisory Committee.
Hugo F. Sonnenschein(3) Trustee 1998 President Emeritus and Honorary Trustee of 37
(62) the University of Chicago and the Adam
1126 E. 59th Street Smith Distinguished Service Professor in
Chicago, IL 60637 the Department of Economics at the
University of Chicago. Prior to July 2000,
President of the University of Chicago.
Trustee of the University of Rochester and
a member of its investment committee.
Member of the National Academy of Sciences,
the American Philosophical Society and a
fellow of the American Academy of Arts and
Sciences. Trustee or Managing General
Partner of other funds in the Closed-End
Fund Complex.

NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE

Howard J Kerr(1) (67) Director of the Marrow
736 North Western Avenue Foundation and Lake Forest
P.O. Box 317 Bank & Trust.
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Theodore A. Myers(3) (72) Director of Met Life
550 Washington Avenue Investors (formerly known as
Glencoe, IL 60022 COVA Financial Life
Insurance). Prior to 1997,
Director of McLouth Steel.
Hugo F. Sonnenschein(3) Director of Winston
(62) Laboratories, Inc.
1126 E. 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637

INTERESTED TRUSTEES

NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS OF HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN
TRUSTEE FUNDS SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE

Richard F. Powers, Trustee 1999 Trustee, Director or Managing General Partner of other 92
III(3)* (57) funds in the Fund Complex. Advisory Director of Morgan
1 Parkview Plaza Stanley. Prior to December 2002, Chairman, Director,
Oakbrook Terrace, IL President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Managing
60181 Director of Van Kampen Investments and its investment
advisory, distribution and other subsidiaries. Prior to
December 2002, President and Chief Executive Officer of
funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to May 1998, Executive
Vice President and Director of Marketing of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co. and Director of Dean Witter Discover &
Co. and Dean Witter Realty. Prior to 1996, Director of
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
Wayne W. Whalen(2)* (63) Trustee 1998 Partner in the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & 92
333 West Wacker Drive Flom (Illinois), legal counsel to certain funds advised by
Chicago, IL 60606 the Advisers. Trustee, Director or Managing General
Partner of other funds in the Fund Complex.

NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE

Richard F. Powers,
III(3)* (57)
1 Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
60181
Wayne W. Whalen(2)* (63)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

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(1) Designated as a Class I trustee.

(2) Designated as a Class II trustee.

(3) Designated as a Class III trustee.

* Mr. Powers is an interested person of funds in the Fund Complex and the
Advisers by reason of his former positions with Morgan Stanley or its
affiliates. Mr. Whalen is an interested person of funds in the Fund Complex by
reason of his firm currently serving as legal counsel to such funds in the
Fund Complex.

REMUNERATION OF TRUSTEES

The compensation of Trustees and executive officers that are affiliated
persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of Advisory Corp., Asset Management or Van
Kampen is paid by the respective affiliated entity. The funds in the Closed-End
Fund Complex, including the Fund, pay the non-affiliated Trustees an annual
retainer and meeting fees, plus expenses incurred in connection with such
meeting. Each fund in the Closed-End Fund Complex pays an annual Closed-End Fund
Complex retainer in an amount equal to the product of $2,500 and the number of
funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex, which retainer is then allocated among the
funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex based on the relative net assets of such
funds, and meeting fees of $250 per meeting per fund, plus reimbursement of
expenses incurred in connection with such meeting.

Each fund in the Closed-End Fund Complex (except the Van Kampen Exchange
Fund), including the Fund, provides a deferred compensation plan to its non-
affiliated Trustees that allows such trustees to defer receipt of compensation
and earn a return on such deferred amounts based upon the return of the common
shares of the funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex as more fully described
below. Each fund in the Closed-End Fund Complex (except the Van Kampen Exchange
Fund), including the Fund, also provides a retirement plan to its non-affiliated
Trustees that provides non-affiliated Trustees with compensation after
retirement, provided that certain eligibility requirements are met as more fully
described below.

Each non-affiliated Trustee generally can elect to defer receipt of all or a
portion of the compensation earned by such non-affiliated Trustee until
retirement. Amounts deferred are retained by the Fund and earn a rate of return
determined by reference to the return on the common shares of the Fund or other
funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex as selected by the respective
non-affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such non-affiliated
Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex,
including the Fund. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest
in securities of those funds selected by the non-affiliated Trustees in order to
match its deferred compensation obligation. The deferred compensation plan is
not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against
the general assets of the Fund.

The Fund has adopted a retirement plan. Under the retirement plan, a
non-affiliated Trustee who is receiving trustee's compensation from the Fund
prior to such non-affiliated Trustee's retirement, has at least 10 years of
service (including years of service prior to adoption of the retirement plan)
for the Fund and retires at or after attaining the age of 60 is eligible to
receive a retirement benefit equal to $2,500 per year for each of the ten years
following such Trustee's retirement from the Fund. Trustees retiring prior to
the age of 60 or with fewer than

10 years but more than 5 years of service may receive reduced retirement
benefits from the Fund.

Additional information regarding compensation and benefits for Trustees is set
forth below. As indicated in the notes accompanying the table, the amounts
relate to either the Fund's most recently completed fiscal year ended July 31,
2002 or the Closed-End Fund Complex's most recently completed calendar year
ended December 31, 2002.

COMPENSATION TABLE

CLOSED-END FUND COMPLEX
------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED TOTAL
PENSION OR COMPENSATION
RETIREMENT BEFORE
BENEFITS ESTIMATED DEFERRAL FROM
AGGREGATE ACCRUED ANNUAL CLOSED-END
COMPENSATION AS PART OF BENEFITS UPON FUND
NAME FROM FUND(2) FUND EXPENSES(3) RETIREMENT(4) COMPLEX(5)
---- ------------ ---------------- ------------- -------------

David C. Arch................ $13,931 $14,694 $90,000 $138,750
Rod Dammeyer................. 13,931 26,231 90,000 138,750
Howard J Kerr................ 13,931 50,408 90,000 138,750
Theodore A. Myers............ 13,931 99,450 86,000 138,750
Richard F. Powers, III(1).... N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hugo F. Sonnenschein......... 13,931 26,282 90,000 138,750
Wayne W. Whalen.............. 13,931 29,657 90,000 138,750

---------------
N/A: Not applicable.

(1) Mr. Powers is an affiliated person of the Advisers and Van Kampen and does
not receive compensation or retirement benefits from the Fund.

(2) The amounts shown in this column are the aggregate compensation from the
Fund to each Trustee for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2002. The following
Trustees deferred all of their aggregate compensation payable by the Fund
for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2002: Mr. Dammeyer, Mr. Sonnenschein, and
Mr. Whalen. The deferred compensation plan is described above the table.
Amounts deferred are retained by the Fund and earn a rate of return
determined by reference to either the return on the Shares of the Fund or
the common shares of other funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex as selected
by the respective Trustee. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund
may invest in securities of those funds selected by the Trustees in order to
match its deferred compensation obligation. The cumulative deferred
compensation (including interest) accrued with respect to each trustee from
the Fund as of July 31, 2002 is as follows: Mr. Dammeyer, $44,602; Mr. Kerr,
$6,885; Mr. Sonnenschein, $50,058; and Mr. Whalen, $50,058.

(3) The amounts shown in this column represent the sum of the estimated pension
or retirement benefit accruals expected to be accrued by the operating funds
in the Closed-End Fund Complex for their respective fiscal years ended in
2002. The retirement plan is described above the compensation table.

(4) For each Trustee, the amounts shown in this column represent the sum of the
estimated annual benefits upon retirement payable per year by the current
operating funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex for each year of the 10-year
period commencing in the year of such Trustee's anticipated retirement. Each
such fund is expected to pay benefits of $2,500 per year for each of the
10-year period commencing in the year of such Trustee's retirement to those
Trustees who retire at or over the age of 60 with at least ten years of
service to each such fund. The retirement plan is described above the
compensation table.

(5) The amounts shown in this column are accumulated from the aggregate
compensation of the 37 operating funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex for
the calendar year ended December 31, 2002 before deferral by the Trustees
under the deferred compensation plan. The Advisers or their affiliates also
serve as investment advisers for funds in the Open-End Fund Complex;
however, with the exception of Messrs. Whalen and Powers, the Trustees are
not trustees of such funds. Combining the Closed-End Fund Complex with the
Open-End Fund Complex, Mr. Whalen earned total compensation of $245,750 for
the year ended December 31, 2002.

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF TRUSTEES

As of April 25, 2003, each Trustee of the Fund beneficially owned equity
securities of the Fund and of all of the funds in the Closed-End Fund Complex
overseen by such Trustee/Managing General Partner in the dollar range amounts
specified below.

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
OF EQUITY SECURITIES
IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN
DOLLAR RANGE OF BY THE TRUSTEE/MANAGING
EQUITY SECURITIES GENERAL PARTNER IN THE
IN THE FUND CLOSED-END FUND COMPLEX

David C. Arch None $50,000 - $100,000
Rod Dammeyer None Over $100,000
Howard J Kerr None $1 - $10,000
Theodore A. Myers None Over $100,000
Hugo F. Sonnenschein $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000

INTERESTED TRUSTEES

AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
OF EQUITY SECURITIES
IN ALL FUNDS OVERSEEN
DOLLAR RANGE OF BY THE TRUSTEE/MANAGING
EQUITY SECURITIES GENERAL PARTNER IN THE
IN THE FUND CLOSED-END FUND COMPLEX

Richard F. Powers None Over $100,000
Wayne W. Whalen $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000

As of April 25, 2003, the officers and Trustees of the Fund owned less than 1%
of the outstanding Shares of the Fund.

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES

The Board of Trustees met eight times during the Fund's fiscal year ended July
31, 2002. The Board's audit committee met two times during the Fund's fiscal
year ended July 31, 2002. The Fund has no other standing committees. During the
fiscal year ended July 31, 2002, each of the Trustees during the period such
Trustee served as a Trustee attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board
of Trustees and all committee meetings thereof of which such Trustee was a
member.

The Fund has an audit committee. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has adopted
a formal written charter for the audit committee which sets forth the audit
10

committee's responsibilities. In accordance with proxy rules promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), a fund's audit committee charter
is required to be filed at least once every three years as an exhibit to a
fund's proxy statement. The audit committee charter for the Fund was filed as
Exhibit H to the Fund's 2001 Proxy Statement. The audit committee of the Fund
has reviewed and discussed the financial statements of the Fund with management
as well as with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent auditors of the Fund, and
discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed under
the Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61. The audit committee has received the
written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required under
Independence Standard Board No. 1 and has discussed with the independent
auditors their independence. Based on this review, the audit committee
recommended to the Board of Trustees that the audited financial statements of
the Fund be included in the Fund's annual report to shareholders for the most
recent fiscal year for filing with the SEC. The audit committee currently
consists of Messrs. Arch, Dammeyer, Kerr, Myers and Sonnenschein. Each committee
member is "independent" as defined by the New York Stock Exchange listing
standard applicable to the Fund.

The Fund has an ad hoc retirement plan committee which currently consists of
Messrs. Arch, Dammeyer and Sonnenschein. The retirement plan committee is
responsible for reviewing the terms of the Fund's retirement plan and reviews
any administrative matters with respect thereto. The retirement plan committee
does not meet on a regular basis and had no meetings during the Fund's last
fiscal year, but does meet on an ad hoc basis as necessary to administer the
retirement plan.

SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

OTHER INFORMATION

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE FUNDS

The following information relates to the executive officers of the Fund who
are not Trustee nominees. Each officer also serves in the same capacity for all
or a number of the other investment companies advised by the Advisers or
affiliates of the Advisers. The officers of the Fund are appointed annually by
the Trustees and serve for one year or until their respective successors are
chosen and qualified. The Fund's officers receive no compensation from the Fund
but may also be officers of the Advisers or officers of affiliates of the
Advisers and receive compensation in such capacities.

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF
NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
ADDRESS OF OFFICER FUNDS SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Mitchell Merin (49) President and Officer President and Chief Executive Officer of funds in the Fund
1221 Avenue of the Americas Chief Executive since 2002 Complex since November 2002. Trustee/Director of certain
New York, NY 10020 Officer funds in the Fund Complex since 1999. Chairman, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Advisers and VK
Advisors Inc. since December 2002. Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Van Kampen since December 2002.
Director of Van Kampen since December 1999. Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Van Kampen Funds
Inc. since December 2002. President and Chief Operating
Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Management since
December 1998. President and Director since April 1997 and
Chief Executive Officer since June 1998 of Morgan Stanley
Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company
Inc. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. since June 1998. Chairman
since June 1998, and Director since January 1998 of Morgan
Stanley Trust. Director of various Morgan Stanley
subsidiaries and President of the Morgan Stanley Funds since
May 1999. Chief Strategic Officer of Morgan Stanley
Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company
Inc. and Executive Vice President of Morgan Stanley
Distributors Inc. from April 1997 to June 1998. Vice
President of the Morgan Stanley Funds from May 1997 to April
1999. Executive Vice President of Dean Witter, Discover &
Co. prior to May 1997.

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF
NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
ADDRESS OF OFFICER FUNDS SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS

Stephen L. Boyd (62) Vice President Officer Managing Director of Global Research Investment Management.
2800 Post Oak Blvd. since 1998 Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to
45th Floor December 2002, Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen and
Houston, TX 77056 President and Chief Operations Officer of the Advisers and
Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to May 2002, Executive Vice
President and Chief Investment Officer of funds in the Fund
Complex. Prior to May 2001, Managing Director of Van Kampen,
the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to December
2000, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
of Van Kampen, and President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Advisers. Prior to April 2000, Executive Vice President
and Chief Investment Officer for Equity Investments of the
Advisers. Prior to October 1998, Vice President and Senior
Portfolio Manager with AIM Capital Management, Inc. Prior to
February 1998, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager
of Van Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc., Van
Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. and Van
Kampen American Capital Management, Inc.
Joseph J. McAlinden (60) Executive Vice Officer Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Morgan
1221 Avenue of the Americas President and since 2002 Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment
New York, NY 10020 Chief Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investments LP and
Officer Director of Morgan Stanley Trust for over 5 years. Executive
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of funds in the
Fund Complex. Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer
of Van Kampen, the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc.
since December 2002.

TERM OF
OFFICE AND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF
NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
ADDRESS OF OFFICER FUNDS SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS

A. Thomas Smith III (46) Vice President and Officer Vice President and Secretary of funds in the Fund Complex
1221 Avenue of the Americas Secretary since 1999 since 1999. Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, Managing
New York, NY 10020 Director and Director of Van Kampen, Director of the
Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc.,
and certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen. Managing
Director and General Counsel-Mutual Funds of Morgan Stanley
Investment Advisors, Inc. Vice President and Secretary of
funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to July 2001, Managing
Director, General Counsel, Secretary and Director of Van
Kampen, the Advisers, Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen
Investor Services Inc. and certain other subsidiaries of Van
Kampen. Prior to December 2000, Executive Vice President,
General Counsel, Secretary and Director of Van Kampen, the
Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc.,
Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. and certain other
subsidiaries of Van Kampen. Prior to January 1999, Vice
President and Associate General Counsel to New York Life
Insurance Company ("New York Life"), and prior to March
1997, Associate General Counsel of New York Life. Prior to
December 1993, Assistant General Counsel of The Dreyfus
Corporation. Prior to August 1991, Senior Associate, Willkie
Farr & Gallagher. Prior to January 1989, Staff Attorney at
the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of
Investment Management, Office of Chief Counsel.
John R. Reynoldson (49) Vice President Officer Executive Director and Portfolio Specialist of the Advisers
1 Parkview Plaza since 2000 and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Vice President of funds in the
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Fund Complex. Prior to July 2001, Principal and Co-head of
the Fixed Income Department of the Advisers and Van Kampen
Advisors Inc. Prior to December 2000, Senior Vice President
of the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to May
2000, Mr. Reynoldson managed the investment grade taxable
group for the Advisers since July 1999. From July 1988 to
June 1999, Mr. Reynoldson managed the government securities
bond group for Asset Management. Mr. Reynoldson has been
with Asset Management since April 1987.
John L. Sullivan (47) Vice President, Officer Managing Director and Director of Van Kampen, the Advisers
1 Parkview Plaza Chief Financial since 1996 and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and certain other subsidiaries
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Officer and of Van Kampen. Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer Treasurer of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to December
2002, Executive Director of Van Kampen, the Advisers and Van
Kampen Advisors Inc.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

As of April 25, 2003, to the knowledge of the Fund, no shareholder owned
beneficially more than 5% of the Fund's outstanding Shares.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 30(f) of the 1940 Act and Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, require each of the Fund's Trustees, officers, investment
adviser, affiliated persons of the investment adviser and persons who own more
than 10% of a registered class of the Fund's equity securities to file forms
with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange reporting their affiliation with
the Fund and reports of ownership and changes in ownership of Shares. These
persons and entities are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Fund with
copies of all such forms they file. Based on a review of these forms furnished
to the Fund, the Fund believes that during its last fiscal year, its Trustees,
officers, investment adviser and affiliated persons of the investment adviser
complied with the applicable filing requirements.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who
are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined by the 1940 Act), has
selected Deloitte & Touche LLP ("D&T") as the independent auditors to examine
the financial statements for the current fiscal year of the Fund. The selection
of D&T for the current fiscal year was recommended and approved by the Fund's
audit committee and approved by the Fund's Board. The Fund knows of no direct or
indirect financial interest of D&T in the Fund.

AUDIT FEES

For professional services rendered with respect to the audit of the Fund's
annual financial statements, the Fund paid to D&T during the Fund's most recent
fiscal year fees in the amount of $60,000.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES

The Fund, Advisers and affiliates of the Advisers performing services for the
Fund paid no fees to D&T during the Fund's most recent fiscal year for
information systems design and implementation.

ALL OTHER FEES

The Fund paid fees to D&T in the amount of $2,000 (related to tax review fees)
during the Fund's most recent fiscal year for services other than those
described above. The Advisers and affiliates of the Advisers performing services
for the Fund

paid fees to D&T in the aggregate amount of approximately $10.3 million during
the Fund's most recent fiscal year for services other than those described
above.

The audit committee of the Board has considered whether the provision of
services other than audit services by D&T to the Fund, the Advisers and
affiliates of the Advisers that provide services to the Fund is compatible with
maintaining D&T's independence in performing audit services.

Representatives of D&T will attend the Meeting, will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to answer
appropriate questions.

EXPENSES

The expenses of preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed form of proxy,
the accompanying Notice and this Proxy Statement and all other costs, in
connection with the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Fund. The Fund
will also reimburse banks, brokers and others for their reasonable expenses in
forwarding proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of Shares of the
Fund. In order to obtain the necessary quorum at the Meeting, additional
solicitation may be made by mail, telephone, telegraph, facsimile or personal
interview by representatives of the Fund, the Advisers or Van Kampen, by the
transfer agent of the Fund, by dealers or their representatives or by ALAMO
direct Mail Services, Inc., a solicitation firm located in Hauppauge, New York
that has been engaged to assist in proxy solicitation at an estimated cost of
approximately $1,500.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

To be considered for presentation at a shareholders' meeting, rules
promulgated by the SEC generally require that, among other things, a
shareholder's proposal must be received at the offices of the relevant Fund a
reasonable time before a solicitation is made. Shareholder proposals intended to
be presented at the year 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the Fund
pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), must be received by the Fund at the Fund's principal executive offices by
January 24, 2004. In order for proposals made outside of Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act to be considered "timely" within the meaning of Rule 14a-4(c) under
the Exchange Act, such proposals must be received by the Fund at the Fund's
principal executive offices not later than April 13, 2004. Timely submission of
a proposal does not necessarily mean that such proposal will be included. Any
shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal for consideration at a meeting of
the Fund should send such proposal to the Fund at 1 Parkview Plaza, PO Box 5555,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555.

GENERAL

Management of the Fund does not intend to present and does not have reason to
believe that others will present any other items of business at the Meeting.
However, if other matters are properly presented to the Meeting for a vote, the
proxies will be voted upon such matters in accordance with the judgment of the
persons acting under the proxies.

A list of shareholders of the Fund entitled to be present and vote at the
Meeting will be available at the offices of the Fund, 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook
Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555, for inspection by any shareholder during regular
business hours for ten days prior to the date of the Meeting.

Failure of a quorum to be present at the Meeting may necessitate adjournment
and may subject the Fund to additional expense.

IF YOU CANNOT BE PRESENT IN PERSON, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO FILL IN, SIGN AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES.

A. THOMAS SMITH III,
Vice President and Secretary

May 23, 2003

[VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO]

VVR 03

[X] PLEASE MARK
VOTES AS IN
THIS EXAMPLE FORM OF PROXY
VAN KAMPEN SENIOR INCOME TRUST

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The undersigned holder of Common Shares of VAN KAMPEN SENIOR
INCOME TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), hereby
appoints A. Thomas Smith III, John L. Sullivan, Lou Anne McInnis
and Elizabeth A. Nelson and each of them or their respective
designees, with full power of substitution and revocation, as
proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at the offices of Van Kampen Investments
Inc., 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555, on
Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at 2:30 p.m., and any and all adjournments
thereof (the "Meeting"), and thereat to vote all Common Shares
which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all powers
the undersigned would possess if personally present, in
accordance with the following instructions.

Account No. No. of Shares Class of Shares Proxy No.

FOR FOR EACH
1. Authority to vote for the election as Class II Trustees, the EACH WITHHOLD EXCEPT
nominees named below: [ ] [ ] [ ]
Rod Dammeyer and Wayne W. Whalen

TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, CHECK "FOR
EACH EXCEPT" AND WRITE THE NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE LINE BELOW.
------------------------------------------------------------

2. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Meeting.

If more than one of the proxies, or their substitutes, are
present at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, they jointly
(or, if only one is present and voting then that one) shall have
authority and may exercise all powers granted hereby. This Proxy,
when properly executed, will be voted in accordance with the
instructions marked hereon by the undersigned. IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE
PROPOSAL DESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES
UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE ACCOMPANYING
NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE MEETING TO BE HELD
ON JUNE 24, 2003.

Date , 2003

----------------------------
Shareholder signature

----------------------------
Co-owner signature (if
applicable)

Please sign this Proxy
exactly as your name or
names appear on the books of
the Fund. When signing as
attorney, trustee, executor,
administrator, custodian,
guardian or corporate
officer, please give full
title. If shares are held
jointly, each holder must
sign.