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Eastern Illinois University plans 200 layoffs

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Illinois

As Illinois moves into its eighth month without a budget, Eastern Illinois University plans an estimated 200 layoffs of non-instructional employees — as well as furloughing all administrative and professional staff additionally in March to make it through the spring semester.

These layoffs, along with cash flow reserves and budget cuts and freezes enacted last week, will be used to push Eastern through the semester financially considering no appropriations from the state have been allotted for higher education. […]

In regard to the layoffs, 30-day notices will be sent out to those employees either late this week or earlier next week, President David Glassman told the Faculty Senate on Tuesday. This will start the normal “bumping” process associated with the layoffs such as in the fall, when employees with higher seniority who get a layoff notice can instead “bump” those with less seniority. […]

While the university will run through spring, uncertainty still lingers in regard to what will happen over the summer and in the fall. Glassman said he along with Paul McCann, interim vice president for business affairs, have started looking into if continuing operations during the summer will be possible, relying on tuition alone as income.

“If I find out from Paul that we would not generate enough tuition dollars to operate the university (in the summer), then I have to figure out what’s our other alternatives,” he said.

Eastern is in a similar boat regarding the fall semester. If funds do not come in from the state by the July, August and September time frame, Eastern will not be able to afford the expenses of the semester at its current capacity without changes. This is also dependent on tuition and federal funding.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:31 am

Comments

===as well as furloughing ALL administrative and professional staff additionally in March to make it through the spring semester.===

My emphasis added.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:37 am
What’s left to say? The carnage continues.

What happens when Illinois’ high school students no longer go to Illinois colleges and universities?

Short term … right.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:41 am
I think I can hear the champagne bottles popping in the Governor’s Office. Happy days are here again.

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:41 am
STRUCTURAL REFORM.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:44 am
No clue why people are leaving the state.

/snark

In all seriousness, brain drain is already a serious problem in higher ed. This isn’t going to help.

Comment by Stuff Happens Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:45 am
Hang in there!

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:45 am
Are the constituencies of these universities (residents, workers, parents, students, staff, alum) reviewing their recent voting history, and now holding their (Republican and Democratic) legislators accountable for trying to save their schools?

I haven’t heard much about the response to this news, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

Comment by State worker Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:46 am
IBHE has been preparing for this, while doing nothing to prevent it.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:48 am
==Are the constituencies of these universities …holding their (Republican and Democratic) legislators accountable==

Democratic legislators passed a budget to fund higher education. Rauner vetoed it. Not a single Republican legislator has publicly opposed that veto.

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:48 am
Rauner says he wants more jobs in Illinois. In reality he’s been a job killer so far.

Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:49 am
Going back the post from a few days ago, there’s clearly fat in the University system. Everyone I know who voted for Rauner did it because they thought he would find fat like that and eliminate it.

Instead, he’s driving every institution in Illinois into the dirt. He could have been a fiscal hawk and used his popularity to drive the turnaround agenda. He’d have a lot more to show for it at this point, both on his ideological front and the financial front.

Comment by Century Club Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:51 am
EIU lost 23% of their students between 2010-2014. Maybe that has something to do with their current problems.

Comment by fred s Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:53 am
Rauner is to Illinois as Sherman was to Georgia

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:54 am
Prepare the way for the great libertarian opportunity society… I hear it will be even better than Kansas! /snark

There are a lot of people who, IMHO richly deserve this, but the vast majority don’t.

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:55 am
Rauner also suggested EIU change its mascot:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S%2BpPtReeL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:56 am
What’s talked around in our area near EIU is that EIU won’t be open for the Fall 2016 semester. Attendance is way down & the budget crunch isn’t helping anything. Nothing said in public yet but everyone can see the writing on the wall & the whispers are getting louder.

Comment by LGHB Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:56 am
The Madigan/Cullerton Supermajorities didn’t even attempt an override

Comment by anon. Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:57 am
Yes, enrollment was down to begin with at EIU - as it was at many of the regional publics in Illinois (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150815/ISSUE01/308159989/are-illinois-public-universities-doomed). However, Glassman righted the ship regarding the enrollment/spending by eliminating 160 positions within his first couple months as president back in August. These cuts now are purely driven by the lack of state funds. And there sound to be more to come.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:59 am
Shut up, anon… there is no super-majority and you know it.

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:59 am
It is not easy being unemployed in eastern IL.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 11:59 am
anon - did either the Senator or Representative of Charleston call for an override?

I wonder how small businesses in Charleston will be impacted by this? Oh well - hang in there!

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:00 pm
The great job creator.

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:01 pm
Northeastern Illinois University got out in front of this crisis and began cutting budgets last semester.

Does the Democratic legislature really want to override the veto? This may go on until after the election.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:01 pm
===IBHE has been preparing for this, while doing nothing to prevent it. ===

IBHE doesn’t exactly have a lot of legal avenues through which to prevent this.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:04 pm
Northeastern will also run out of cash before the end of the fiscal year. Just not quite as soon as some others.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:11 pm
@Fred - most institutions are down since 2010 due to the Great Recession “being over.”

@anon - you are about 9 months late in your comment - please start reading and keep up

To the post - This is disgusting how many of our bedrock universities (Southern, Western, and Eastern) are being driven into the grave over 1.4%. Governor Altgeld is spinning in his grave today.

Comment by RunBikeSwim Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:12 pm
===Does the Democratic legislature really want to override the veto? This may go on until after the election. ===

Ken Dunkin would like you to know he will be on a Rauner-funded holiday whenever the override vote is scheduled.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:13 pm
==The Madigan/Cullerton Supermajorities ==

I think all commentary about “supermajority” should be banned. If you aren’t smart enough to realize such comments are asinine then you shouldn’t be allowed to comment.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:13 pm
Is Professor Edgar still employed there?
I would be interested in what he has to say about this.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:20 pm
Edgar works at U of I b/c the pay scale is much higher there than at his alma mater, EIU. And it looks like about 65% of Coles County voted for Rauner so hopefully this is the turnaround they were hoping for! Yes, it takes both sides but there was bipartisan agreement on full-funding for community colleges and MAP grants (see Gov’s proposed budget). But it was Gov. Rauner who proposed the massive cuts to public universities and Republicans have refused to cross him on this point.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:30 pm
In about 6 weeks, high school juniors and their parents will begin visiting college campuses in preparation for applications that will be made next fall and winter.

As parents begin evaluating schools here are some recent articles that might attract their attention: “Illinois public universities are in financial crisis”, “Budget impasse halts student scholarships”, “Illinois budget stalemate causing damage “beyond repair”…

My daughter is a junior. Neither she nor any of her friends are considering any public institutions in Illinois. I’m sure they aren’t the only ones.

Comment by Former Hoosier Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:42 pm
“furloughing ALL administrative and professional staff additionally in March”

I suspect the furlough period in question will coincide with spring break so as not to disrupt classes. However, it would mean affected employees would not get paid for that week (or 10 days or however long the break period is).

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:48 pm
“Neither she nor any of her friends are considering any public institutions in Illinois”

Admissions counselors/recruiters at public universities in neighboring states (and even not so neighboring states) are aware of this and, I’m sure, directing their efforts accordingly.

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:53 pm
EIU has been out in front of this. They were doing things last year to cut expenses and downsize. You can only cut so much and then blood flows heavily.

Comment by sparky791 Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:53 pm
Those 200 ought to get their sleeping bags out and plan a camping trip to Dunkin’s office for a couple of overnights..

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:53 pm
As an EIU alum this is very sad news. The writing is on the wall that me and many others will soon be alums of a now-defunct university.
As a parent of a kid about to decide which college to attend, why would I or anyone even consider sending our kid to EIU after these announcements? Heck, why consider any Illinois public university?
Where are the GOP legislators from the EIU part of the state raising holy heck in public about this?
I’m sure EIU has been around in some form or fashion for 100-plus years. It survived the Great Depression and other economic calamities but it can’t survive 18 months of Rauner as Governor.

Comment by Sad Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:54 pm
Unless the economic situation in and around Charleston, IL has drastically changed since I went to EIU, that city and the surrounding area will be absolutely economically devastated if EIU closes down.

Comment by Sad-Part Two Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 12:59 pm
EIU Administrative and Professional Staff (who weren’t laid off last August) have all already been issued furlough days too (ranging from 7-14 days). The furlough days referenced in this article would be on top of those. Depending on the scale of the additional furlough days - these folks are looking at being furloughed for the equivalent of 1 month’s salary or more.

Comment by DownStateGrl Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 1:05 pm
All for 1.5%.

I think its time for a mushroom revolt.

Comment by Abe the Babe Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 1:32 pm
-Sad-
-Where are the GOP legislators from the EIU part of the state raising holy heck in public about this?-

Dale Righter is in pocket of Rauner so I don’t think you will see him do anything except Because Madigan.

Comment by sparky791 Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 1:33 pm
There are having a rally! That’ll work! /s
from the article:

Blitz said it will take more than a rally to get a budget passed, but it is a necessary step to put more political pressure on the state. He said there is clearly not enough now to get them to finalize a bill.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 1:49 pm
==Where are the GOP legislators from the EIU part of the state raising holy heck in public?==

Where is anyone raising holly heck about any of these cuts other than here on this blogsite? We’re all like bystanders at a wreck, tsk-tsking.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Two hundred people lose their jobs. Many of these people will lose everything. Those that still have a job lose a month’s pay and come July their health insurance premium doubles (loss of $3100 a year). Many of these people will lose everything.
Rauner is causing prolific job loss in Illinois. Soon we will be seeing massive bankruptcies and foreclosures as a result of the Rauner agenda. Republican members in lock step with Rauner, OWN THIS.

Comment by Jimmy H Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 1:53 pm
====many will lose everything. Rauner is causing prolific job loss in Illinois.==

Sounds real great for our state’s economy. Snark. However someone will profit from this ………

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 1:59 pm
While I’m a UIUC alum, I have many good friends who are EIU alums to include a husband and wife whom are employed there. Most of them believe EIU is not likely to close for the Fall 2016 semester, but it may have reduced academic offerings. Notably and sadly, there are growing rumors that WEIU television may not make it beyond 2016, but I’m not sure if any portion of WEIU’s funding is subject to Mr. Rauner’s hostage taking. The Spring 2017 semester will likely be more telling. The EIU employees losing their jobs will not likely find comparable employment opportunities in Charleston-Mattoon, both of which are communities in economic decline. Constituents of Dale Righter need to request help and hold him accountable if he refuses to do so.

Comment by kitty Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:03 pm
And, for those public colleges and universities who survive Gov. Rauner’s “starve the beast” strategy, there could be more hurdles for them to jump if funding mechanisms are changed. Rauner’s role model, former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, was one of several GOP governor’s who began tying state funding to retention & graduation rates (instead of tying it to enrollment).

This has caused public institutions to restrict admissions by raising admission requirements, decrease the number of conditionally admitted students and redirect financial aid and grants to better prepared students.

Some will say “Great, not all those kids belong in college anyway. This will weed them out.” Well, this type of funding also applies to community colleges who feel their open-door mission will be placed in jeopardy if, in order to receive funds, they need to recruit students who are likely to succeed and discourage or turn away less-prepared students.

In Ohio and Tennessee, the majority of the base funding for public institutions of higher learning is tied to student performance.

Comment by Former Hoosier Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:08 pm
===IBHE has been preparing for this, while doing nothing to prevent it. ===
===IBHE doesn’t exactly have a lot of legal avenues through which to prevent this.===

They don’t need legal avenues. They need people who can do their jobs. But they can’t do that because they can’t keep good people due to the plethora of inner agency issues. In the meantime, IBHE, continues to obligate money through agency travel like there was no budget impasse, all the while universities are struggling to keep going.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:12 pm
Fred S writes, “EIU lost 23% of their students between 2010-2014. Maybe that has something to do with their current problems.” Yes, and the previous administration did nothing. The current administration right sized the institution in the fall to correspond to the new reality of fewer students. The number has stabilized. The problem with Eastern NOW, is not enrollment but a lack of an appropriation.

Comment by ash Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:24 pm
Can’t wait for that veto override.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Gonna be tough for Jimmy John sub shops in some of these college towns. Irony considering these towns are where JJ got his start. Job creatin’.
State spending in these places did a lot of job creatin’. Something of a disconnect going on in the job creatin’ gubner. A discounting of the economic stimulus of government and good governing.

Comment by Vole Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Will there be any state universities left in Illinois? With no state funding shouldn’t they all become private?

Comment by No publics in Illinois Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Hey Vote Quimby… before you make fun of their rally incumbent Reggie Phillips will face Jonathan Kaye in the Republican primary on March 15th.

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 2:46 pm
== IBHE, continues to obligate money through agency travel like there was no budget impasse==

Every agency is.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 3:38 pm
There are hundreds of thousands of EIU, SIU, WIU,and NIU graduates working for shools, for profits, not-for profits, government, and many other employers all over Illinois. Let these schools decline and where will the future body count come for employees as the boomers start retiring in large numbers? That will draw many large employers to Illinois. Each of those campuses has about $1B in real estate and buildings. Just going to let it rot? There are already several million sq feet of vacant state buildings allover the state being looked after by CMS that they cannot get rid of. Excellent long term planning. All for 1.4%.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 4:10 pm
I am all out of words about the state of Illinois. I can barely say “Illinois” without feeling sad or angry…. And why say anything… Nobody appears to be listening. And, I know that I am not the only one….

Comment by Frustrated Illinois Citizen Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 5:35 pm
Coles County….Oswego Willy said it best,”Elections have consequences”.
They got what they voted for.

And Righter will react to the EIU layoffs the same way that Hammond reacted to the WIU layoffs.
In whatever way Rauner lets them.

Comment by btowntruth Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 5:41 pm
Don’t all of you get it? In Rauner’s and many Republican’s minds, jobs in non-for-profits and the educational systems are not real jobs. Additionally, it is viewed that the individuals that have these jobs are probably Democrats.

Comment by So Blue Democrat Wednesday, Feb 3, 16 @ 8:38 pm
Reggie is beginning to come around because he’s realized people actually care about this stuff. He’s had to apologize for being in Florida (in his real home) during the last vote. He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer and he actually lost Coles County in the GOP primary. He’s beginning to think he could lose his job so he’s coming to the rally at EIU tomorrow.

Righter, God bless him, is just useless, utterly useless. His Higher Ed bill, while it includes a 20% cut to universities, is always attached to some poison pill legislation that the governor wants. It’s just an exercise in CYA.

I hear there are independents who are pondering challenging both of them after the primaries. I think that’s a good thing. Either one of them could lead an override of the governor’s veto and save us all but, like most of the GOP state legislators, they’re just useless to their own constituents.

Comment by Chucktownian Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 10:43 am
Chicago State just declared fiscal exigency.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 11:27 am

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