President Glassman sent the following message to faculty, staff and students yesterday.
Dear University Community,
I am pleased to report that a few hours ago, Governor Bruce Rauner signed SB2059 into law. As a result, each of the state’s public universities and community colleges soon should receive financial support to be applied toward our respective FY 2016 budget allocations. Eastern Illinois University will receive about $12.5 million (approximately one-third of what it received in FY 2015 as its state operating budget), as well as partial funding for the Monetary Award Program.
We extend our appreciation to both sides of the General Assembly for coming together in a bipartisan manner to provide stopgap funding to the state’s universities and colleges. We understand this is a step toward a comprehensive FY16 budget, and anticipate further conciliation in continuing support of an accessible and affordable quality higher education for all citizens of Illinois.
Further, I offer my sincere thanks to our many students, faculty, staff, alumni, annuitants and other friends who, in the past several months, have made your voices heard as advocates for Eastern Illinois University. You have shared your message in Charleston, in Springfield and elsewhere throughout the state, and it is producing positive outcomes. Our legislators have heard your strong message and they are responding. Thank you.
I ask now that you keep that message sounding. Our state universities and colleges are an integral investment for the future of our state and reliable state funding will ensure its positive and vital return.
We are looking forward to an exciting new academic year at Eastern and welcoming an outstanding new class of students in the fall.
Sincerely,
David M. Glassman
President, Eastern Illinois University
