EIU President Says School is on Stable Financial Footing, Is Reaching Out to Local Region

Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman said Eastern is "Effingham's hometown university" and said the university has ramped up its efforts to attract area students to attend the Charleston school.

(GLASSMAN)

Glassman also attempted to dispel rumors about Eastern's fiscal condition during a speech at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Luncheon. He said work was done years earlier and has continued to insure the university's long-term financial future. As to uncertainties due to the lack of budget goings-on in Springfield, Glassman said Eastern is in the same situation as other state schools in Illinois.

Glassman did say one thing that needs to change is Illinois losing 10,000 students a year to out-of-state schools, and another is that Illinois is losing 10,000 residents per month who are moving out-of-state.

The EIU president said his school has four focus goals: academic excellence, affordability with quality, a safe and nurturing campus, and a job for each student upon graduation. He said they are working to assure those four goals are achieved.

Eastern is trying to build on its strengths. Glassman said US News and World Report rated Eastern the #1 regional university, and said Eastern is #3 in the state in lowest tuition, reminding that Eastern's cost is even lower when its free textbook program is considered. He said Eastern's hometown of Charleston is the second safest campus community in America.

Glassman understands that not every career is in need of a bachelor's degree, but noted that those with undergraduate degrees earn $1 million during their lifetime than those who don't have a degree.