EIU President David Glassman sent out a mass e-mail Monday to students and staff, saying there were no longer any plans at the school for additional large-scale layoffs, but said those lasting up to 29 days may be needed. Glassman said more cost-cutting measures may be needed to bridge the school in Charleston through the summer.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed SB 2059, which provides $600 million in emergency funding for Illinois' public universities through the rest of the semester. In a statement, the governor says "now is the time to build on this bipartisan momentum and focus on enacting a truly balanced budget for Fiscal Years 2016-2017." But he reiterated his call for business reforms at the same time.
A number of university presidents testified for an Illinois Senate committee Thursday on what Illinois' budget impasse has done to their institutions. They say nearly a year without state support has led to layoffs, students struggling to pay tuition without grants and high school students considering going elsewhere for a degree.
Speakers included area mayors, state legislators, and people on the EIU campus.
A university spokesperson said a letter sent to campus by EIU President David Glassman is meant to quell rumors on social media that the state budget impasse might force the university in Charleston to shut down during the spring, 2016 semester.
