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* UPDATED x1 - WIU approves layoffs * EIU President: “Our state government is literally starving its public universities”

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* Forwarded by a reader…

Dear Campus Community,

As we begin our spring semester, it is important that I update you on the financial position of the university. Incredibly, the state’s legislature and governor have yet to approve a state budget for FY16. This unprecedented action means that EIU has not received any of our annual appropriation (typically around $40 million), nor MAP reimbursement for EIU students (approximately $9 million). Our state government is literally starving its public universities.

The difficult budget adjustments that were made this past fall equating to reductions of roughly $10 million accomplished our goal of moving us toward a balanced budget for FY16. However, our budget was predicated (as are all state universities’ budgets) on receiving our state appropriation and MAP reimbursements, and that has unfortunately not happened.

As I have told our lawmakers, in higher education we operate in semesters, rather than weeks or months. Our budgets are formulated on an annual basis and in accordance with the academic calendar.

We will continue to provide our students excellent learning, service and research opportunities without diminishing academic excellence during the current semester and for many years to come. EIU is ranked the top regional public university in Illinois by U.S. News and World Report and we are committed to maintaining the focus on student success that earned us that spot.

I am hopeful that a state budget or higher education appropriation soon will be finally enacted. However, we cannot rely on optimism alone and must begin unfailingly to preserve our funds for instruction and employee payroll in the case our appropriation is further delayed or not received at all.

During the first half of FY16, we carefully managed our operating expenses using tuition revenue and cash flow reserves to move us well into the spring semester. Now, we have identified specific measures that will need to be executed to allow us to operate through to the completion of the semester while ensuring our educational mission and preserving funds to meet payroll.

Beginning immediately, we will implement the actions of halting all non-instructional capital equipment purchases; delaying all deferred maintenance and repairs that are either unrelated to safety and security or already paid for; delaying all non-instructional capital projects; halting all non-instructional supply purchases without vice presidential approval; freezing employee-reimbursed travel with minimal exception such as for required federal or governmental purposes; and freezing all hiring that involves FY16 funding. Any exception will need presidential approval.

If an appropriation continues to be delayed further into the semester, we will need to temporarily and/or permanently lay off hundreds of non-instructional employees and mandate unpaid furlough days to others beginning in March. Call backs will occur immediately after an appropriation is enacted and funds have begun to be received by the university.

The actions of the budgetary impasse in Springfield are testing our resolve and fortitude to meet the needs of our students. I call upon everyone’s cooperation to remain strong and positive in attitude for our students and our beloved university as we await our lawmakers and governor to authorize state support for public higher education. Together, we will get through this challenging time and after which, return to our pathway to success.

Sincerely,

David M. Glassman
President, Eastern Illinois University

*** UPDATE *** From the Western Illinois University student newspaper Facebook page…

In a 5-1-1 vote this morning, the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees (BOT) is in favor of the execution of staff reductions. According to resolution No. 16.1/1, reduced enrollment is partially responsible for the staff reduction. “Western Illinois University seeks to implement staff reduction as outlined in Article 24, Article 40 and all additional articles referenced therein,” reads a clause on the resolution. The BOT has officially given the administration authorization to lay off where necessary.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:15 pm

Comments

David Glassman was a page for speaker Madigan 😈

Comment by 360 Degree Turnaround Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:19 pm
Too much attention on the damage being done to the hostages–we need another state department created by Executive Order right away!

Comment by Earnest Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:20 pm
>

This is certainly going to hurt the employees of EIU as well as Charleston and the surrounding communities. I have a bad feeling this same type of scenario is going to be repeated a lot in the next few weeks by other universities, community colleges, and agencies (like LSSI from last Friday).

Comment by East Central Illinois Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:21 pm
First of all, these long letters are ridic. Brevity would’ve been a gift here.

The universities have been sounding the alarm for several weeks. I don’t see it making a difference until something drastic occurs and parents step up with some pushback.

Comment by Politix Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:23 pm
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.

Says it all, doesn’t it?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:23 pm
More chickens coming home to roost — time for another bold statement about the dire threat of Syrian refugees.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:24 pm
The universities have been sounding the alarm for several weeks. I don’t see it making a difference until something drastic occurs and parents step up with some pushback.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:24 pm
I am totally entering into broken record territory, but the state government is starting universities because the Governor campaigned on a tax cut and has, to date, stuck with his policy.

This is the consequence of a tax cut, not a budget impasse.

And actually, we have a de facto budget now. It’s got a zero line item for higher ed and 3.75% income tax.

Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:24 pm
“The universities have been sounding the alarm for several weeks. I don’t see it making a difference until something drastic occurs and parents step up with some pushback”

You beat me to it as that is exactly how I see it.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:25 pm
How long before Rich Goldberg pens a scathing letter to the EIU president?

Comment by Get a Job!! Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:27 pm
== time for another bold statement about the dire threat of Syrian refugees. ==

True. They might be terrorists bent on offing some kids in Englewood just to further their political jihad against the American enemy.

Wait, no, that’s the Wahhabist from Winnetka.

This is all so confusing.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:28 pm
President Glassman has been thrown every type of curveball so far since his term as president of EIU. It hurts me to see so many hardworking, enthusiastic people losing their jobs on campus, some of which I know. As an EIU alumn, I feel their struggle and pain. Both legislators and executives are being childish in the party politics game. If Rauner really believes in prosperous middle class, he should support the funding of higher education. He needs to stop being wasteful by hiring a COS for his wife. Enough is enough. Universities are more worthy than the treatment the state has given them.

Comment by 217 Native Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:30 pm
===How long before Rich Goldberg pens a scathing letter to the EIU president?===

He keeps a template on-file. LOL.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:33 pm
If you’re a student without MAP, and administrator confused how things got THIS far, a parent of a student going to any State University, wondering if your student is going to come home a tad earlier, or won’t have a place to attend this summer and/or fall… or ever…

Here’s your reason;

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.

That’s not a random tweet, that’s the explanation.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:35 pm
Mike Madigan and the Panthers he controls.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:36 pm
WIU layed off 44 today.

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:40 pm
>@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.

The “stalemate” may be short term in your view, but the damage will be felt for decades.

Also, you haven’t been “taking steps,” you’ve been passing them up to stay on an all-or-nothing course.

Comment by Earnest Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:41 pm
I thought Rauner cared about downstate?? What happened? Proposal for state to take over CPS but nothing for downstate universities? Oh poor downstaters lied to by “Chicago governors” and now a suburban one too. Maybe you won’t make the same mistake next election

Comment by somalia Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:43 pm
Sorry Mr. Glassman,”beginning immediately………” ,these are are things that we in private industry have to consider everyday. And guess what? There are some weeks that the boss, in order to make payroll, doesn’t get a check!

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:44 pm
Just for the record. Faculty at EIU agreed to re open their contract and take a voluntary pay freeze back in August, but that saving was just a short term measure to delay layoffs. Also the university is looking at selling off the broadcast spectrum for its TV station, which would be a huge mistake. That has long term consequences that can’t be repaired. #saveweiu

Comment by 4 o'clock club Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:45 pm
I’ve lived in five different states. Rauner is the worst politician I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen some really bad ones. And, yes, he does make Rod Blagojevich look good now.

Comment by Chucktownian Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:47 pm
During the campaign in 2014, Bruce Rauner described himself as “a friend of higher education.” He recognized that the state had reduced funding to state universities in recent years, and he vowed to stop the bleeding.
With friends like that, who needs ememies.

Comment by Because I said so.... Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:47 pm
===Sorry Mr. Glassman,”beginning immediately………” ,these are are things that we in private industry have to consider everyday. And guess what? There are some weeks that the boss, in order to make payroll, doesn’t get a check! ===

If you think universities shuttering is going to help revitalize Southern Illinois, well, good luck with that. There are no more jobs for an uneducated workforce.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Will some poor soul have to die as a direct result of the cuts in social services before we get a budget?

Comment by Forgottonian Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:49 pm
My guess is from those womens shelters closing Forgot…..

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:51 pm
===Will some poor soul have to die as a direct result of the cuts in social services before we get a budget?===

I think one person dying is a pretty optimistic view of the whole mess.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:54 pm
Nothin’ like growin’ Illinois’ economy by layin’ off workin’ people.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:54 pm
I know that there are a lot of Republicans, not just Democrats, who have kids going to Universities and are being hurt. I wonder if they have any regrets about voting for Rauner. Quinn wasn’t a good Governor but I’ll bet most people who are suffering today would have been better off today if Quinn was still there. Elections have consequences all right. Just keep telling yourself that all this suffering is worth it once the Unions are gone, but that’s the kicker, what if the Democrats don’t throw the Unions under the bus, all this will be for naught. If the Democrats concede then the message sent is that Rauner can play this hostage game any time he wants something and he’ll know that if he hurts enough people long enough he’ll eventually get what he wants. It’s not in the Democrats best interest to concede to Rauner on stripping the Unions of their power. We may be without a budget for 3 more years and just limp along and the next administration will have to clean up the mess and raise taxes a lot more than they would have had to if we had just kept the tax rate at 5% and not put this stranger in the Governor’s mansion.
I hope I can start referring to Rauner as “Governor” soon but I won’t do it until he starts acting like one.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 3:57 pm
GraduatedCollegeStudent…..no one is talking about shuttering universities. What’s wrong with taxpayers demanding fiscal responsibility? Admittedly Mr. Glassman did take some furlough days, but a $32k/yr stipend? Sorry, I think his lofty pension is enough. Also, not sure what your Southern Illinois and uneducated workforce reference was about, but do you know what CPS high school graduation rate is? I have lived in southern Illinois, currently live in Lincoln Park, and run a company in east central Illinois. Other than having to lock my doors now and having a concealed carry card, I don’t find people much different anywhere I am in the state.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:07 pm
Responding to Blue Dog Dem’s comment: “Sorry Mr. Glassman,”beginning immediately………” ,these are are things that we in private industry have to consider everyday. And guess what? There are some weeks that the boss, in order to make payroll, doesn’t get a check!” ===

President Glassman has already taken a pay cut. Instead of furlough days, which at least would have given him time off, he is giving up part of his salary. Administrators, such as deans and department chairs, have already taken furlough days. Civil service layoffs have already taken place. Faculty layoffs were postponed a semester when the faculty union members voted to forego their pay raise to cover the cost of the ACFs’ contracts for the fall semester. President Glassman has been an excellent steward of university resources, and remember, he only started the job in June.

Comment by News Hen Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:10 pm
WIU offered an early retirement program at the end of Fall semester - 1/4 of 2015 salary if the employee retired January 1. It appears that they only received about half the acceptances they needed (well, less than, probably, since mostly Civil Service personnel took up the offer).

Comment by RIJ Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:11 pm
We need more stories like this one. We need more stories from the hostages. Higher Ed is Rauner’s hostage. Illinois, please stop using education as a pawn in your chess games.

Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:12 pm
===Will some poor soul have to die as a direct result of the cuts in social services before we get a budget?===

I think it’s clear that people are already dying.

And even “restored” funding doesn’t stave off tragedy:

http://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/tragedy-strikes-bonfield-family-unable-to-pay-for-heat/article_25c0b8f8-9dba-51b0-93f4-7da04d365848.html

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:12 pm
In the election there was a Democratic narrative, Rauner was wealthy, out of touch, and would financially bury anyone who got in his way. Now that we’ve experienced Governor Rauner, he seems like a caricature from a Quinn attack ad. The poor are being buried by the closure of non profits, the poor and middle class by starving public universities, and he views it all as worth it in order to get changes made to collective bargaining and prevailing wage. Not even the wealthy will ultimately benefit, not once taxes make up for all the lost revenue, interest, and late fees. When this war is over, I’m not even sure what will be left.

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:17 pm
I guess when your rich you think you can be arrogant. But God is aware of this and paying close attention.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:18 pm
This doesnt even begin to cover the collateral damage to the economy of the towns. Looks like the Big Box greeters and tomato slappers will be out of work too.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:20 pm
Blue Dog,

“..no one is talking about shuttering universities”? Umm . . .

And if you were interested in fiscal responsibility from Universities, you might start with investigating the fiscal realities at universities. You might be surprised at what you find, given that state funding has been in a free fall for a long time. And by the way, there is something called the IBHE. It exercises oversight. Do university presidents make too much? Yes. But so do “top level managers” in every other walk of life, and I’m guessing that applies to you as well. CEO pay is an economy wide problem.

Comment by History Prof Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:21 pm
I am one of the casualties of EIU’s fall 2015 layoffs. I’m also the parent of a child who got his engineering degree from a public university in Illinois. He now makes and spends his money in Atlanta. I threatened to wring his neck if he ever moved back to Illinois.

Comment by up2now Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:22 pm
This is why you send your children to out of state schools.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:23 pm
Rauner cares about crushing the unions only - his behavior is reprehensible! Does he think that driving down wages is good for the state? Does he think that seeing people lose their jobs is good for the state? Who will donate to nonprofits? Who will send their own students to college? Who will help stimulate the state economy by spending what they earn? Destroy unions, destroy a collective voice - that is his plan. With Rauner it really is about us and them. Reporters need to share widely Rauner’s plan - even before he was elected - to use social services as a wedge between unions and Democrats. This is just a private sector game to him.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:30 pm
== I guess when your rich you think you can be arrogant. But God is aware of this and paying close attention. ==

Then, we should hope and pray that God has time to take some action soon.

Comment by sal-says Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:32 pm
On the heels of up2now,sorry for your situation.

As a pair of former teachers, we told our kids that if they selected Education as their major, they would pay 100% of it. Might as well get used to being stressed. They’ve both done very well in the Business field, in other states that actually respect their contributions and pay accordingly.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:34 pm
== This is certainly going to hurt the employees of EIU as well as Charleston and the surrounding communities. ==

This crap and its kind is hurting EVERY institution, community and resident of IL. It is hurting the credibility of IL, the income that IL depends on, the desirability of businesses to come or expand in IL, and much more we haven’t even noticed yet.

IT MUST END !

Comment by sal-says Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:35 pm
To be fair, EIU and other schools have been shafted by the General Assembly. The DEN has stories going back years on MAP grant cuts and money owed from the state. It’s sad that a great university is caught up in this budget stalemate. Where was the GA when the funding was being cut?

Comment by ste_with a v_en Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:37 pm
History Prof, I mostly agree with you, but all too often people associate owning a business with Wall Street. The reality is small, mom and pop businesses are the real economic engine of this state. Businesses with less than 20 employees hire nearly 90% of the workforce. Universities hire many, many more than that, and yes I believe like the big corporations, the presidents( like CEO’s) are overpaid. Similar to school superintendents. It’s always justifiable to somebody.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:44 pm
=What’s wrong with taxpayers demanding fiscal responsibility? Admittedly Mr. Glassman did take some furlough days, but a $32k/yr stipend? Sorry, I think his lofty pension is enough.=

LOL! When all of those executives appeared before congress back in 2009 and 2101 they flew in private jets and defended eight and nine figure bonuses to retain “talent”! Yeah, the private sector really takes it in the shorts.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:46 pm
Rauner has the end game in mind - keep the people scared and struggling. De-funding higher education is one of the early casualties. Can’t let those working folks get too educated, too active or too uppity!

Comment by See the forest Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 4:48 pm
Rauner only wants private for profit instructions, he said it on Twitter last month, DeVry is the model he wants for the state, not Eastern, not Western, DeVry.

“Bruce Rauner – @GovRauner
Excited to visit the talented students of @devryuniv Advantage Academy, a great model for education here in IL”

Comment by AC Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:18 pm
As Madigan remains mum.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:19 pm
One respondent noted that 44 were layed-off at WIU.

Wonder about the breakdown of faculty civil service and administrative personnel?

Also it appears that there are no contract reductions. For instance a reduction t no more than a 10.5 month contract probably would save considerably although many highly paid administrators would not like to see that option played out.

I also checked WIU’s budget. They allocated $1.9 million from GRF funds to Athletics. Remember these are appropriated funds and not outside money.

There needs to be more thought to this whole process rather than laying off people and destroying their lives. But I doubt if that type of thought will enter into the decision of those who are in charge.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:22 pm
JS Mill. I agree with you wholeheartedly, I believe university presidents(mostly) and the corporate elite are indeed accountable!

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:26 pm
- @MisterJayEm - is correct, ” - Anonymous - ” comments bring little.

Take the time, get a name

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:33 pm
Starving?

Or slimming the administrative bloat that has taken place?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:43 pm
All were faculy civil service retired. 12 were tenure. 8 were first year teir2 but union tried to save them too.

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:47 pm
You have no idea whether or not it is administrative bloat or not. More to the point: Rauner doesn’t know. You would have to investigate the causes of increased “administrative” spending, which include unfunded state mandates on all sorts of things. But without that investigation, you just have know idea what you are talking about. Most of the spending has to do with providing services for students that were not provided in the past. And to recruit students, you have to have them. Having received a free education the baby boomers now want to stiff their progeny. In the resulting tuition based system, universities have to compete for students. Shazam: increased “administrative overhead.”

Comment by History Prof Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:48 pm
Sorry for the typos. I have to run.

Comment by History Prof Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:49 pm
Admin needs cut but this is like killing the patient to stop a cold.

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:55 pm
Illinois Manufacturer: “Admin needs to be cut”. How the hell would you know? What if I just up and said something random about how you run YOUR business. Would you listen to me? Of course not.

Comment by History Prof Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:58 pm
- illinois manufacturer - Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 5:47 pm:

All were faculy civil service retired. 12 were tenure. 8 were first year teir2 but union tried to save them too.

What source did you get this info? Thanks.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 6:46 pm
I have two children. One was at at private school in Illinois and just graduated; the other is is finishing next year at an Indiana university. This news in Illinois is chilling; it reinforces our decision to allow our children to search for options other than state schools here. The damage happening now is long term; the reputation of our state and its very fine schools is being destroyed for the gov’s stupid agenda. A shame beyond measure.

Comment by Tired of games Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 6:55 pm
When, in the midst of a fiscal debacle that is your fault, you hire a second $100K Chief of Staff for your wife who seems to be “in the witness protection program” as evidenced by her lack of public engagement, you lose all possible credibility on matters of fiscal responsibility.

You should just hush and seek compromise now.

Comment by Chucktownian Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 6:57 pm
I have had many people try to tell me how to run my bus but it has not taken taxpayer money like state university so there is a public interest. Strange I have really never met a prof that loves administration. Have it out with the Senate dems not me pal. Let’s just say the source is relable

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 7:00 pm
I, and many of my friends and colleagues, will likely be among the staff ranks let go during this ordeal. How many $25k/yr staff need to be fired to keep the doors open? I assure you that the $140 - $400k/yr deans/vice presidents/ presidents/etc. will not be terminated.

While I have supported unions my whole life, faculty making six figure salaries for 8 months of teaching per year may be something that’s unsustainable and the governor is right to bust as our pension deficit approaches $200 billion. Adjuncts cost a fraction of the salary/benefits of tenured/track faculty - if there isn’t grant and research funding coming in that exceeds your annual salary, why wouldn’t a business go with a cheaper educator?

I’m not out to point fingers among those being held hostage, but there is a huge difference between those of us making very little money with little job security and faculty (to a lesser extent) and executives (to a greater extent).

Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 7:10 pm
Hey, blue dog dem, grow up! State gov cannot CANNOT run like a business. The very idea is a pernicious fallacy.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 7:50 pm
No pity for university presidents. Many state merit comp employees took furlough days amounting to 10% of their salaries and didn’t make nearly as much as the presidents’. Can’t hang all this on Rauner, though, the legislature hasn’t budged either.

Comment by justacitizen Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 9:10 pm
Y’all need to jump Madigans ship and get him out of office. Rauner ran on the promise that he would cut the purse strings of a runaway lefislature . it hurts now but in 20 yrs your kids will thank you

Comment by Former Dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 9:28 pm
While Dems and Repubs all bear responsibility for the Illinois mess, the current free fall starts and ends with Rauner. The Gov is required by the constitution to present the GA with a balanced budget on a date established by statute, a date that is now a distant memory. He has willfully ignored his legal obligation in order to turn around a fast-decaying corpse. Is there any chance a court could compel him to do his duty? Even a budget with no tax increase would at least demonstrate what the state would be like without one.

Comment by StateLurker Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 9:31 pm
History Prof,

It has been studied, and reported on in detail, both here and in other media outlets multiple times over the past year alone.

The administrative ranks at public universities have “skyrocketed” since 2000.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 9:35 pm
Anon @7:50.state government CANNOT cannot continue to run like this state has run its government. Looks like we’re seeing the results as we speak.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:03 pm
Anonymous,

It has been reported on, but it emphatically has not been studied, neither at my institution nor at any other that I know of. Yes “administrative ranks” are larger, but that includes anything that is not instructional cost. So that can be IT, which is all new, by the way. And that can be student health. And yes, that can be inflated salaries at the upper end, which is annoying, to be sure, but probably does not amount to a hill of beans.

My main point would be that you need to know what is driving “administrative bloat” before you go shooting at it with a cannon. Believe me, as a professor, I wish “instructional costs” were a bigger piece of the pie not a smaller one. So I am not hear to defend unnecessarily high salaries or unnecessary offices.

My second point was that your boy Rauner has no idea what he is talking about because he has not even bothered to look into it. And that is because he ASSUMES it must be waste as a matter of preexisting ideological commitment.

Unless you just assume that “businessmen” like BKR have magical powers of intellect or intuition, there is no way BKW has any idea what is driving educational costs in Illinois. The biggest factor in rising tuition, bar none, is the disappearance of state appropriations. And if he has not listed that as a driver of rising tuition, he is either lying or he is ignorant, and I don’t really care which. Come to think of it, it is probably both.

Comment by History Prof Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:05 pm
===state government CANNOT cannot continue to run like this state has run its government. Looks like we’re seeing the results as we speak.===

Yep.

Rauner’s choices are killin’, just killin’ this state.

Governors own

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:06 pm
Anon@7:50. Just wanted to draw your attention to the latest UIC study shows high unemployment among black and Hispanic youth in Chicago. Amazing stuff coming out of these universities. Makes me wonder how much that study cost, or better yet, which one of our distinguished $223k/ yr Fellows worked on it.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:13 pm
illinois manufacturer,

which source is reliable for which “fact?” You lost me. Please tell me, what is your theory about what is driving “administrative costs?” Then you can tell me the source of information if you like.

Comment by History Prof Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:20 pm
Administrative costs and administrators are misnomers. When one hears that, they assume a dean making 100,000 or whatever. In reality, most student support services are considered “administration.” Tutoring services, advising, residence life staff, student organizations/activities, athletics and recreation — if you don’t teach, you’re not listed as a faculty. If you aren’t civil service, you’re like lumped as “administration.” So please, as one person said, how many “administrators” making less than 40,000 with a least one (if not more) graduate, professional, or doctoral degrees would the governor like to eliminate?

Comment by xxtofer Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:21 pm
xxtofer is exactly right. BKR has ZERO idea what he is talking about. He was whipping of resentments based on no knowledge base. It’s an old Republican game. “There MUST be significant fraud, waste, and abuse.” Well may there is and perhaps there isn’t. But its a serious charge with serious consequences and you ought to know what you are doing before you do it.

Comment by History Prof Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:28 pm
Just wondering out loud. Is the president of that JUCO down in Godfry, you know the guy making about $450k/yr an administrator? Just wondering if the schools responsibility on his pension would be considered an administrative cost? It’s all so confusing!

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:40 pm
Since I am stirring the pot, can somebody help me. What’s 3% of $450,000?

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 10:43 pm
Blue dog dem: “Businesses with less than 20 employees hire nearly 90% of the workforce”

Try 17.9% (http://www.familybusinesscenter.com/resources/family-business-facts/). Maybe you should enroll in a business course at your local CC to help with these basic facts instead of denigrating those who are teaching them.

Comment by Tier 2 Employee Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 11:18 pm
Tired 2: my data may be as old as I am, but in 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 5.68 mil employer firms in the U.S. Firms with fewer than 500 workers accounted for 99.7% of those businesses. Businesses w/ less than 20 workers accounted for 89.8%.

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 25, 16 @ 11:52 pm
Bdd: If we considered all US companies (not just employer firms), 79% have no employees. By your logic, they must employ 79% of the workforce. See the problem?

Comment by Tier 2 Employee Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 8:19 am
@BDD- Ever wonder what it costs to evaporate $2 Trillion (that’s Trillion with a big T) in assets? I don’t know that answer but Jamie Diamond probably does, just give him a shout. If you can reach him on his private jet that is.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 8:34 am
As the fire encircled the state universities, the new fire chief complained about how no one would fight the fire the way he said, so he believed they deserved to watch everything burn down until they agreed with him.

“I didn’t start this”, Fire Chief Rauner said as he washed his hands in the tears Illinoisans shed over their losses. “I feel bad that no one is willing to do what I said”, as he walked back to his shiny new fire truck.

“Do something!”, newly laid off public employees pleaded. “I can’t finish my education without the aide I was supposed to receive!”, said the former university students.

“Yeah - I feel really bad about that”, Rauner said.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:19 am