Leatherneck Nation

They need to be burning the midnight oil until an agreement is reached. The Illinois taxpayers should also have the privilege of watching it all unfold in real time CSPAN-like fashion.

I don't know about C-SPAN. Perhaps the SCY- FY Channel would be best to observe them. Or, as an Ancient Aliens documentary we see on the History Channel. Maybe on Night of the Walking Dead.

Another sign of the declining enrollment:

At the June 10th Board of Trustees meeting, the Board will consider a resolution regarding the proposed elimination of four academic programs.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Illinois Democrats on Tuesday rebuffed a request from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner for a short-term spending plan to get the state through the November election, saying they'd entertain the idea but not to expect a deal before the midnight end-of-session deadline.

The budget "bridge" proposed by Rauner's office is aimed at keeping state government afloat for at least six months, until after the November election when the hope is some lawmakers will be more willing to cast difficult votes without fear of how that might affect their re-election bids.

Rauner repeated his call that funding for elementary and high schools be put in a separate bill from other spending plans, the idea being to provide assurance that schools will open on time while the political games play out.

Roughly $600 million would come from a higher education fund to prop up public universities and community colleges, which have seen major layoffs and program cuts after going nearly a year without state support. The goal is to provide a lifeline to campuses most at risk, including Chicago State University, Western Illinois University, and Eastern Illinois University, with enough funding to open and complete the fall semester.

Well, June 1 has arrived. Illinois has no budget in place for either Fiscal Year 20016 (which will end on June 30) or for the upcoming FY 2017 (which will start on July 1).

It will now take a 60% vote to get anything approved.

A Six-Month "Stopgap" funding plan was not approved last night. That plan would have guaranteed that Western would be able to stay open at least through the fall semester.

Tri-States Public Radio (WIUM-FM) has become another casualty of the budget impasse. TSPR announced today that there will be some changes made to their broadcast schedule as they will have to drop affiliations with two network providers. This means that "A Prairie Home Companion" will no longer be heard. That program has been on WIUM for decades.

The declining enrollment will mean less money generated in student fees for Athletics. You have to wonder what impact those reduced fees will have on Western Athletics.

This time though K-12 support is also included. The more it effects the people, the sooner our law makers are going to hear their cries! I think I would rather work to support WIU Athletics at the moment then once again fret over the future. jc

State Senator John Sullivan said today that he expects that the 6-month Stopgap Budget will get approval. So perhaps there will be some good news.

We sure could use some!

712, I have never doubted your commitment and my comment was not meant to question your's or anyone else's! It just seems to me that no matter what level our Leathernecks play, more commitment from fans and supporters is a must, meaning fans in the seats and dollars in the collection jar. This financial debacle did not have to happen. Yes maybe some belt tightening was in order no matter what, but the stress this budget impasse is placing and has placed on WIU is unjust and without purpose. There were good signs this fall and winter that freshmen admissions were on the upswing. The attendance at the "Visit Western" went from good to great as the year went on. There is genuine interest in WIU which seems almost a surprise for some people on this board. And then the governor and legislature refused to "govern" the state which of course has led us to where we are today. But no matter what, the only thing that I can control is my work for the university as the Leatherneck Liaison and I plan to continue to work in that direction no matter where the governor and legislature takes us in the future. WIU students, alumni, fans and supporters deserve quality athletic programs no matter what level they are participating in and I plan to do what I can to make sure that happens. I hope that many in the Leathernecknation are ready to stand up and commit to the same exact thing! jc

If I am BOT member at the June 10 meeting, my first question is this:

Did the APER committee and administration solicit any input from current students as well as past graduates of those programs? I know some things are going to have to be cut just to survive, but to make these decisions using only raw statistical data would be somewhat shortsighted IMHO. For example, you might have a programs with high enrollment and graduation numbers. That might look good on paper, but if most of those graduates end up waiting tables at TGI Fridays, something is not right with that program. Conversely, if a program cranks out only a handful of real difference makers every year, how could we honestly prevent others from following in their footsteps?

I assume of course that some of those students and past graduates can be tracked down and might be willing to provide input.

Four majors on the chopping block at Western Illinois University.

From KHQA-TV-7 News:

Coming up on June 10th the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees will vote on the elimination of four of the University's majors.

Those majors on the chopping block are African American Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies and Women's Studies.

WIU Spokesperson Darcie Shinberger says the proposed cuts are due to declining enrollment in those disciplines.

In a letter posted by Interim Provost and Academic Vice President Kathy Neumann says if those majors are cut, "these programs will continue to be offered as minors and select classes will be available in these content areas to fulfill the University's general education curriculum, support Western's academic mission, and provide a diverse, well-rounded academic schedule for our students."