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* Eastern Illinois University President David Glassman testified at a House committee hearing yesterday about the impasse…
Glassman said, “EIU will come through this storm stronger, bolder … not because of the impasse, but in spite of it.”
I get the defiant bravado aspect and the fact that if a university president says his campus is doomed it would scare away even more students than are already fleeing to other states.
But one can also come away from that statement thinking the impasse may have done EIU some good.
* Meanwhile, at SIU…
Susan Davenport, associate dean for students and curricular affairs in the College of Liberal Arts, said the state budget impasse is affecting the university’s ability to recruit students.
[Interim Provost Susan Ford] agreed, saying parents are telling their children not to come to Illinois for college right now.
“We are swimming against a tsunami of bad press from the state budget crisis,” Ford said. “It harmed us last year, and we know it’s harming us this year.”
Compared to the financial health of other state universities, [SIU President Randy Dunn] said SIU falls in the middle of the pack. Eastern Illinois University, Western Illinois University and Chicago State University have all declared financial emergency, but Dunn said the University of Illinois system would likely be able to sustain operations indefinitely despite the budget impasse.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From EIU…
Rich,
Hey. Saw your post highlighting yesterday’s House Higher Education Appropriations hearing as well as some mistaken comments apparently made by or attributed to the President of SIU.
First, and most importantly, the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University has NEVER considered, let alone approved, a declaration of fiscal exigency/emergency. It is regrettable that such inaccurate statements would be made let alone reported and then re-reported.
Second, the full line you are pulling a quote from is this: “Drowning out the negative narrative that the State has created for its public universities – that is, the crisis in confidence which permeates the conversations of most students, parents and high school guidance counselors – is not easy, but EIU will come through this storm stronger and bolder and wiser – not thanks to the impasse [sic], but in spite of it.” You are correct in characterizing the comment as “defiant” and the President’s full testimony included specifically explaining that the impasse-related layoffs have actually resulted in inefficiencies.
-Katie
Katie M. Anselment ‘02
Director, Constituent Relations
Eastern Illinois University
*** UPDATE 2 *** From SIU President Randy Dunn…
My comments you picked up from the Daily Egyptian’s reporting of an all-faculty meeting held at SIU Carbondale were in response to a question raised about the fiscal health of SIU as compared to the other state universities. While I agree that words do matter, we may be dancing on the head of a pin here. The EIU and WIU boards may not have done explicit declarations, but both boards in fact passed resolutions so as to access payment providing for “financial support for essential operations” under the authority of P.A. 99-0524, the second stopgap signed into law on June 30. Enabling provisions included in the BIMP amended the Board of Higher Education Act to provide: “In fiscal year 2017 the Board…shall conduct a review to determine the existence of a financial emergency at a public institution of higher education that requires financial assistance from the Board, but only after the institution’s governing board has formally requested the review by adopting a resolution stating that the institution is in a state of financial emergency that requires financial assistance from the Board.”
While I felt I should offer a response to a legitimate question posed at the faculty meeting, there was no attempt to drag any other institution down. We very much value the relationship we have with all the public universities in Illinois, and we’re all in this together. Indeed, the SIU Board is itself in the midst of considering a financial emergency declaration for the Carbondale campus within the coming months. But given the larger background, I stand by my comments made.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 9:37 am
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“But one can also come away from that statement thinking the impasse may have done EIU some good.”
And that falls right into Rauner’s rhetoric. To Rauner’s world view, EIU is a redundant university which, at the very least, should only be a satellite of UIUC. It’s more than just enrollment… it’s ALL about the communities, the people, and the future. Rauner is sending these jobs away at the same time he’s bemoaning the loss of jobs in Illinois and the need for economic growth. Don’t play into Rauner’s game plan. Refine your messaging, EIU!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Y6C8cw3_s
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 9:46 am
===Glassman said, “EIU will come through this storm stronger, bolder … not because of the impasse, but in spite of it.”===
Yeah, um, file this under, “You’re not helping”
Better?
“Eastern continues to provide the quality education it has been known to deliver for decades. The budgetary impasse only highlights how critical higher education funding is, and it’s necessary function to continue to meet our mission at Eastern Illinois University, and all state universities here in Illinois, frankly.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 9:48 am
“This ship is unsinkable”.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 9:49 am
Definitely a very poor choice of words and phrasing on the part of President Glassman.
This is not exactly the message you want to send about your institution when its very existence is being threatened.
Comment by illini Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 9:53 am
I suspect university presidents have been reticent to irritate the person who is making them suffer, but what kind of retribution from Rauner could cause more suffering than what universities and Illinoisans have already endured? I wish a certain president I know would up the rhetoric.
Comment by illinoised Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:01 am
Rauner keeps saying people are leaving the state.
Guess he’s referring to college bound students.
Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:05 am
===I suspect university presidents have been reticent to irritate the person who is making them suffer,…===
I think your missing the whole point of pressure.
The legislators who have state universities in their districts feel NO NEED to represent the economic engines within their districts. Rather, they feel more comfortable letting state universities suffer because Rauner will continue to hold both the universities and the Raunerite General Assembly members hostage… and those GA members just don’t mind what’s happening… at Eastern… at Westen… at Southern…
It’s the Raunerite GA members that are purposely failing state universities… while Rauner protects them… and the districts keep re-electing them.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:06 am
College presidents have been gagged by DopeyDuct and his $uper$tars….they are generally “discouraged” from commenting on the poaching of students and faculty by border states and beyond. DopeyDuct continues to babble like he did non Champaign radio — “still bloated” — or Peoria Journal Star — “why does Western have some many classes” — but proclaim is “love” and “strong suport” for colleges and universities.
he has called the U of I superiority plan unconstitutional.
Destructive behavior will take decades to correct.
Comment by annonin' Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:12 am
go look at who represents EIU and then ask yourself if those lawmakers would ever vote for something that funds higher education and balances the budget.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:16 am
Last year, Reggie Phillips said EIU was too vocal with the FundEIU rallies and people going to Springfield. Now the President is being too positive about the situation! It’s a no win situation.
Comment by Central_IL Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:18 am
Poor messaging aside - it is equally disturbing that only 4 of the 20 members of the Higher Ed Appropriations Committee found this testimony important enough to even bother to attend.
Comment by illini Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:19 am
- Central_IL -
What is Phillips’ voting record for FULL higher education funding since Rauner became governor?
You think on that, you get back to all us. K? K.
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:23 am
Stockholm syndrome.
Comment by Patty Hearst Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:26 am
I am absolutely no fan of Reggie. I was just pointing out that no matter what EIU does, someone will say it’s the wrong thing to do.
Comment by Central_IL Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:26 am
===I was just pointing out that no matter what EIU does, someone will say it’s the wrong thing to do.===
No.
It’s not even a “good try”.
Willfully ignorant or blissfully unaware.
Did ya check that votin’ record with Phillips yet, or…
Your drive-by silliness to allegedly give cover, this time for Phillips is indeed one of the two choices I gave.
Your response to my questioning your “knowledge” on full funding votes kinda-sorta makes your whole “victimhood” fir Phillips ring hollow
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:31 am
You’ve got the wrong end of the stick, OW. I would never defend Reggie. I’m fully aware of his voting record, since it affects me directly. I was trying to defend the EIU president. He’s trying to do “right” thing in a horrible situation.
Comment by Central_IL Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:41 am
Unfortunately, many other members of the GA who represent college communities are quite often equally compliant by failing to show real support for the major economic engine that runs their local economies.
Yet they all have their apologists and many keep being reelected !
Comment by illini Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:45 am
EIU is being made stronger by the impass, the prez says so….and their representation in the GA doesn’t support getting them help in the “life line” appropriation. So, I guess EIU is okay with underfunding. Good luck with that, Charleston.
Comment by TNT Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:45 am
===Glassman said, “EIU will come through this storm stronger, bolder … not because of the impasse, but in spite of it.”===
This is all but “enabling” Rauner, allowing the premise, “despite it all, things in the end, we will be bolder”
Geez, Louise, that’s Rauner’s own Darwinian premise to, you guessed it, close state universities.
Your first attempt with “you can’t win” no matter eat anyone says is the very reason “Words Matter”
If you’re going to accidents he enable the person destroying your university, the best way to do that is to say…
“.., come through this storm stronger, bolder … not because of the impasse, but in spite of it.”
That’s not “welp, no matter what they say…”
No. That’s buying into the Rauner end game.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:46 am
Will the last Panther to leave please turn off the lights?
Comment by Phil T. Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:47 am
“If you’re going to give credence to, and enable, the person destroying your university, the best way to do that is to say…”
Apologies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 10:48 am
Glassman said, “EIU will come through this storm stronger, bolder … not because of the impasse, but in spite of it.”
OW is absolutely right, this is 100% favorable to Rauner’s position. My only hope is the … in the quote is some additional context that might mitigate the damage done. But I doubt it.
Comment by don the legend Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 11:01 am
==Eastern Illinois University, Western Illinois University and Chicago State University have all declared financial emergency==
Words do matter. Financial emergency is a pretty broad term. There is a huge difference between financial emergency and financial exigency, which financial exigency being a much more serious official declaration with very serious ramifications that basically throw out union contracts, etc.
The news has reported that Chicago State has declared financial exigency. To my knowledge, WIU had not. I don’t know about EIU.
Comment by Joe M Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 11:17 am
What Glassman really means is “I can’t believe my %#@$% predecessor screwed up this school so badly that it will take a miracle to turn it around.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 11:25 am
What else would one expect him to say? We’re currently in a death spiral? Doubt that would attract the hordes of great scholars.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 11:30 am
===What else would one expect him to say?===
I gave an “off the top of my head” starting example…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 11:36 am
EIU Old Main as Ironsides… keep firing the cannons or trebuchets’! EIU is ranked One of the Best medium sized Universities year after year. GO Panthers !
Comment by the Cardinal Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 11:40 am
Assuming the quote is correct, why is Randy Dunn opining about the health of the U of I system?
Perhaps because the SIU system, excluding Edwardsville, has been in a state of decline since the day he arrived on campus and he doesn’t want to talk about that.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 12:11 pm
Two years into a fight to the death the public university presidents and lobbyists still simply do not get it. Trying to speak two messages into the same microphone doesn’t work. Admit this is a crisis and fight like hell, otherwise you’re doomed. You may already be.
Comment by Signal and Noise Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 12:39 pm
==Glassman said, “EIU will come through this storm stronger, bolder … not because of the impasse, but in spite of it.”==
What the heck is he smoking?
President Glassman, please explain - show us the numbers.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 12:42 pm
- Anonymous - Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 12:42 pm:
Oops… that was me.
Comment by Mama Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 12:44 pm
AFAIK, EIU has not declared financial exigency. If they have, no one told the faculty and staff. (Not that the article says *exigency*, but someone else here asked.)
Glassman has done everything he can to weather this storm. He deserves credit for keeping EIU running.
Comment by MSIX Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 12:47 pm
If you want to understand why the presidents of the regional public universities are so careful about how they phrased what they are trying to say, look behind the curtain to the trustees that have been appointed by Rauner since he took office. They hold the swords over the heads of the presidents, and are a source of retaliation even more immediate than the usual prospect of hostile budgeting. We are fortunate if the presidents are even able to maintain a stance of “unmovable bipartisan neutrality.”
Comment by resistanceisfutile Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 1:00 pm
To the Update,
Ugh…
===“Drowning out the negative narrative that the State has created for its public universities – that is, the crisis in confidence which permeates the conversations of most students, parents and high school guidance counselors – is not easy, but EIU will come through this storm stronger and bolder and wiser – not thanks to the impasse [sic], but in spite of it.”===
Yeah, um, again…
This quote, it is reinforcing Rauner’s plan, feeding into the negative Rauner perpetuates about Illinois, and the “defiant”, yeah, that “pushing thru” the damage Rauner is causing, not addressing that Rauner has exacerbated the situation to the President’s dismay.
I’m kinda confused how this clarification makes it “better”, I think if anything it shows a resolve to accept what is happening to them and embrace the Rauner end game of Darwinism in higher education.
Sometimes letting it be is best(?)
I’m actually more disappointed in “clarifying” that parents see the negativity around Illinois higher education, but Rauner’s continuation and acceleration of the Darwin-style ending of universities is seen as an embraced challenge, not an affront to those universities.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 1:01 pm
Glassman has bungled this at every step, and continues to. Last year he set off the panic over having to shut down in the spring during his testimony and then blamed his students, staff, faculty, and community for making “negative news cycles” when they tried to do something about it. Go check his state of the university speech for this year. It is basically telling students and faculty to sit down and shut up to not repeat last year. Guy prolly should have had a plan to get funding on his own then. We see how that worked out.
This statement is just instance 1,000 of what he peddles on campus too. That anyone on here is defending this is absurd, and that their lobbyist is worried about the word “emergency” betrays how little Old Main gets it. People in IL see huge layoffs and that EIU is getting hammered and they think the word “emergency” is the technical difference in public perception that matters.
EIU got paid last year not because of Glassman, but in spite of his efforts.
So definitely file this under “you are not helping” but that filing cabinet is pretty full by now.
Comment by Bungled Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 2:54 pm
EIU’s leadership seems primarily focused on not allowing any “negative” news about the university. The fault is on the negative narrative, not the defunding and fiscal condition of the institution. It’s a hunker down and hope for the best strategy.
Comment by Illini Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:06 pm
===The fault is on the negative narrative, not the defunding and fiscal condition of the institution.===
Yeah, you tell that to the U of I Sysyem and the $800 million they may never see, and the parents see as a huge negative.
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:11 pm
I think the narrative comment from Illini was in imitation of Old Main, not their view. No? But yeah, the damage matters, a lot. Layoffs are easy to see but faculty attrition is a huge problem and quality hiring at regional is going to get really hard if and when they ever decide to.
Comment by Bungled Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:16 pm
Maybe EIU needs a new lobbyist?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:21 pm
Yup, that sentence was meant to capture the twisted and unhelpful logic inherent in Glassman’s statement.
Comment by Illini Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:28 pm
Three thoughts:
1) You have to empathize with Dr. Glassman in that nobody wants to climb on board a vessel that is sending distress signals….so none are being sent.
but…
2) It is sad to see Dr. Glassman appropriating the Raunerite method of speech in which you craft a message by selling a set of ideas which is blantantly contrary to the truth. For Glassman’s sake, I hope he has a folksy style, toothy grin and a farmer-plaid shirt to go with it.
3) Dr. Glassman should realize that his target audience is largely an educated one, which, in my humble opinion, is less likely to buy into this kind of Rauneresque, logic-deficient word jumble.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:47 pm
President Thomas, today at WIU, in light of recent inaccurate statements made by individuals unaffiliated with Western Illinois University, seeks to set the record straight by stating that WIU has not declared financial emergency.
http://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=14467
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 3:57 pm
To anon on WIU statement. What is in the water they are all drinking that makes them obsess over the word emergency buried in one article from a hearing that only 4 legislators went to anyway?
WIU laid off tenure track faculty last year, made cuts, all to get through the year. EIU laid off hundreds, crippled hiring, and openly admitted in Springfield they’d not likely get through the spring. And they are worried people might think therr is an emergency? What this really is is their obsession with having to mislead students and families that Illinois higher ed isn’t beung shredded and that this will come at the cost of educational quality. They pretend everything is fine and then once very few months they sheepishly ask Springfield to stop killing them. And just like in the WIU statement here, and with EIU, they’ve convinced themselves their backroom lobbying is making a bit of difference and is sufficient.
Wasn’t sufficient last year, won’t be this year.
Comment by Bungled Friday, Apr 14, 17 @ 4:53 pm