Thursday, February 9, 2017

If the budget crisis is not resolved by July, SIU will be ‘running on fumes,’ university president says - MARNIE LEONARD, Daily Egyptian

Unless the state budget impasse ends and significant funding begins to flow to the university by the end of the fiscal year in June, some university programs may see dramatic funding cuts. The university broadcasting service, counseling and psychological services, the University Museum and university farms are among the groups at risk. “If we just start doing away with those things I’m afraid we’ll never get them back,” SIU President Randy Dunn said Friday. “They’re a part of our history and what makes SIU Carbondale a special campus.” Stopgap funding ended Jan. 1, and with a new session of the Illinois General Assembly in its second week and no end to the ongoing budget impasse in sight, SIU officials are singing a familiar tune. Though the university is not in a position where closure is being considered, Dunn said it would be difficult for SIU to continue functioning for another 18 months without having to “dismantle big parts of the university operation.” http://dailyegyptian.com/64695/showcase/if-the-budget-crisis-is-not-resolved-by-july-siu-will-be-running-on-fumes-university-president-says/