The EIU faculty has strongly opposed the Illinois budget impasse, warning of its dangers.
The EIU faculty has strongly opposed the Illinois budget impasse, warning of its dangers.
Responding to Springfield’s current budget crisis, the faculty senate of Eastern Illinois University (EIU) recently communicated its frustration and astonishment to state legislators, protesting the seven-month span the institution has endured without state funding.
In a message addressed to Illinois State Sen. Dale Righter (55th District) and State Rep. Reggie Phillips (110th District), the faculty vigorously objected to the lack of state funding for the fiscal year.
Specific complaints focused on the administration’s failure to agree on a budget, consequently forcing the university to anticipate almost 200 layoffs and additional furloughs — with staff voluntarily foregoing salary increases.
EIU’s student body is comprised overwhelmingly (94 percent) of Illinois residents, and the school’s operating and instructional expenses are in the state’s top ranks, the faculty stated.
Ultimately, the fallout of the crisis could cause trouble for Illinois. Not only does EIU represent almost one third (31.5 percent) of the property tax in Charleston — and an even greater proportion (37.5 percent) of retail sales — but failing to provide incentive for its graduates to participate in the local economy would have negative repercussions as well.
“A continued budgetary stalemate in Springfield will have severe short and long-term economic consequences for our region and the state of Illinois,” faculty representatives said. “Many of our highly skilled and talented colleagues, in all sectors of employment — service, administrative and instructional — have already left the state, and many more will be forced to find secure employment outside the tax base of Illinois.”
Not only the state, but the university itself stands to suffer setbacks in terms of economic health. The faculty implored Phillips and Righter to demand of the administration that EIU be allotted the equivalent rate for fiscal year 2016 as it was for fiscal year 2015.
“A cut greater than 6.5 percent would constitute a severe threat to the health of our institution and our region,” university officials said.
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