University News
January 2015 Budget Update: Letter from WIU President Jack Thomas [1/27/15]
January 27, 2015
To the Campus Community,
As we begin a new semester, I would like to welcome back returning students, faculty, and staff. To our new students, faculty, and staff, we are glad you are now part of the Western Illinois University community.
With the swearing in of Bruce Rauner as our state's governor, it is appropriate that I share a budget update as Gov. Rauner and the legislature begin to develop plans to alleviate the state's economic challenges. Recently, I attended receptions in Springfield to congratulate Gov. Rauner and new legislators. Each of the leaders offered support for Western and higher education in the State of Illinois.
In the governor's inaugural address and subsequent releases, he outlined the fiscal situation in Illinois. The Fiscal Year 2015 state budget was passed with the assumption that the temporary tax increase would be made permanent. Legislation to extend the tax increase was not approved, and the state now faces an approximate $1.5 billion shortfall for FY'15, which equates to nearly 10 percent of the planned revenue.
Over the past several weeks, we have been working with the governor's budget office to discuss what role higher education can play in the fiscal crisis. We have been asked to offer various scenarios for both the FY'15 and the FY'16 budget cycles. We continue to stress the impact that a decade of cuts have had on our institution. Additionally, we are tracking several executive orders that have been issued recently by the Governor. Thus far, we have found these orders require only minor changes to our normal practices.
On Jan. 26, the governor's budget office made an official request that Western Illinois University hold back $520,000 of our $52.6 million appropriation. We are evaluating how this 1 percent reduction in our state funds will impact the University. Specifically, we are waiting to gather information on spring enrollment and additional information from Springfield. In the coming weeks, we will present to the campus the necessary financial information and outline how Western Illinois University will move forward.
As we look to the FY'16 budget cycle, we recognize that a new legislative session will have a significant impact on the fiscal situation in Illinois and for Western Illinois University. This spring, we will return to Springfield to testify before the legislature and lobby on Western's behalf. We will continue to emphasize the importance of higher education funding. While our testimony is important to the legislative process, it cannot replace the role of the larger constituency. I ask that each member of the WIU community contact his or her legislator and ask for continued support of Western Illinois University and for adequate higher education funding. Together, our voice can be a powerful example of how Western Illinois University is a leader in our region and our state.
We will continue to keep the campus community apprised of any updates that affect our current-year budget. Despite these difficult budgetary times, we must remain committed to our educational mission. Western Illinois University continues to be a model for providing access and affordability to our students. I appreciate your cooperation and patience. I thank each of you for the support you provide to the University.
Jack Thomas
President
Western Illinois University
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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