EIU Taking Steps to Address Lack of State Budget

Eastern Illinois University is ready to take further steps to deal with the lack of a state budget.

(EIU PRESIDENT DAVID GLASSMAN)

In a letter sent to university employees Monday, EIU President David Glassman said beginning immediately, the university will implement the actions of halting all non-instructional capital equipment purchases, delaying all deferred maintenance and repairs either unrelated to safety and security or already paid for delaying all non-instructional capital projects, halting all non-instructional supply purchases without vice presidential approval, freezing employee-reimbursed travel with minimal exceptions such as for required federal or governmental purposes, and freezing all hiring that involves Fiscal Year '16 funding. Any exception will need presidential approval.

Glassman's letter also reads that "if an appropriation continues to be delayed further into the semester, we will need to temporarily and/or permanently lay off hundreds of non-instructional employees and mandate unpaid furlough days to others beginning in March. Callbacks will occur immediately after an appropriation is enacted and funds have begun to be received by the university."

The university this past fall made cuts of roughly $10 million to reach a balanced budget, but that was predicated on receiving the expected state funds.