EIU Board Approves Budget, Okays Contract Agreement

Eastern Illinois University’s first regular Board of Trustees meeting of the 2023-24 academic year took place Friday afternoon in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King, Jr. University Union.

Highlights and outcomes of the meeting included:

- Final approval of EIU’s FY24 budget ($165.1M) and a preliminary review of EIU’s FY25 projected budget, both of which will intensify support for EIU’s Plan 2028, the University’s five-year strategic blueprint for enriching institutional effectiveness, enhancing student success and learning outcomes, and engaging with the community to advance shared cultural and economic initiatives.

- Ratification of a four-year (2023-26) labor agreement between EIU and one of its 13 union partners, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 149.

- Approvals of all EIU Panther Athletics coaching contracts, including the examination and renewal of EIU’s Statement on Board Responsibilities for Intercollegiate Athletics. Per federal law, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges directs all university and college boards to renew their commitments to student-athletes and acknowledge board oversight of all intercollegiate athletics programs at least annually.

Other noteworthy informational items on the agenda included the popularity of EIU’s 2023-24 welcome week events, including the Greatest School on Earth Fall Fair for students, employees, and community members; meaningful updates about Eastern’s student and employee programs and services (like providing students and employees free access to Adobe Creative Suite); and a detailed update on EIU’s most recent fall enrollment trends and future enrollment planning trajectories.