Illinois is not the only state with money problems.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is cutting $146 million of spending from the budget, including tens of millions of dollars to public colleges and universities.
The Republican governor said the cuts announced Monday are necessary to keep the budget in balance because of lower than expected tax revenues and rising costs in certain programs such as Medicaid.
The cuts come just one week after Greitens took office and a day before he is to deliver his first State of the State address. They come on top of about $200 million of spending restrictions made by former Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.
The latest cuts include $56 million from the core budgets of public universities, nearly $12 million from community colleges, and almost $9 million in busing aid for public K-12 school districts.
Updates to faculty layoff plan and other stuff
Chicago Tribune Editorial: Chicago State sledgehammer: Can Paul Vallas save the struggling university?
At Chicago Public Schools, he reversed years of budget deficits without begging the General Assembly for a bailout. He did here what he replicated elsewhere: He swung a sledgehammer. Fearless and focused, Vallas wasn't afraid to take Chicago's public school system to the studs, then rebuild."
— Chicago Tribune editorial, Nov. 9, 2013
That's what we said about former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas when Gov. Pat Quinn picked him as his running mate. We smiled then and we smile even more now as Vallas joins the board of trustees at another educational institution desperately in need of reform: Chicago State University.
Vallas will need to wield that fiscal sledgehammer in his new role starting Monday. And he'll need that fearless, no-nonsense attitude at a university with a long history of mismanagement, cronyism and academic failure.
Here's what CSU can count on: Vallas will focus on educating students. On boosting graduation rates. On sweeping aside sclerotic policies and patronage hires from previous regimes.
Vallas and other new board members named by Gov. Bruce Rauner — Chicago attorneys Tiffany Harper and Nicholas Gowen and World Sport Chicago Executive Director Kam Buckner — face a daunting challenge to rescue CSU. The university could exhaust its financial reserves before the end of the academic year, forcing more cuts unless there's an infusion of state cash.
In recent days more bad news, borne of years of cronyism and mismanagement: The cash-parched university agreed to pay more than $1 million to end a lawsuit brought by former high-ranking administrator Glenn Meeks, who claimed he was fired after reporting alleged misconduct by the school's former president, Wayne Watson.
The university itself could be on the hook for a potential settlement of $5 million or more to former university attorney James Crowley, who also alleged misconduct by Watson. CSU's insurer paid the Meeks bill, but the insurance company argues it isn't responsible to pay the still-to-be-decided Crowley settlement because the university's policy does not cover claims stemming from a "fraudulent or dishonest act or a willful violation of any statute, rule or law." If so, where would that $5 million-plus come from? Presumably from funds the university could have used to educate students and improve its abysmal graduation rates.
Remember, CSU also shelled out $600,000 last fall to oust former president Thomas Calhoun Jr., who'd spent only nine months on the job. Why? The board never offered an explanation. Meanwhile, the university is painting an optimistic portrait of its future to attract students — including, possibly, a football team someday.
Last fall, we urged Gov. Rauner to fire CSU board members who voted to oust Calhoun without a candid public explanation and to demolish the status quo. The appointment of Vallas and his colleagues to the eight-member board, assuming they're gung-ho for reform, is a terrific start.
But this won't be a quick fix. Nor can Vallas & Co. count on a windfall of state funding to help. Around the state, many universities are tightening their belts and warning that they'll barely limp through the academic year because the state's budget stalemate has crimped the flow of cash to higher education.
That's why we believe Chicago State's newly energized board should explore another option: A full-blown takeover by a stronger university. One candidate we've heard floated: the University of Illinois at Chicago.
We've long wondered whether the state should reform its university and community college system along the lines of what's done in Wisconsin and New York. Right now, dozens of Illinois schools with top-heavy administration expenses chase state dollars and students. But a more consolidated system could hold top university brass accountable for financial mismanagement and academic failure — and reward success in helping students learn and graduate.
Illinois once had a more centralized system. But in 1995, the General Assembly broke up what was known as the "system of systems" — four governing boards representing 12 universities — in favor of local control. That added five more governing boards. The goal: reduce administrative costs and increase accountability. The result: none of the above.
Vallas has deep experience in reviving faltering school systems to better serve students. Get ready, CSU. The sledgehammer is going to swing.
At Chicago Public Schools, he reversed years of budget deficits without begging the General Assembly for a bailout. He did here what he replicated elsewhere: He swung a sledgehammer. Fearless and focused, Vallas wasn't afraid to take Chicago's public school system to the studs, then rebuild."
— Chicago Tribune editorial, Nov. 9, 2013
That's what we said about former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas when Gov. Pat Quinn picked him as his running mate. We smiled then and we smile even more now as Vallas joins the board of trustees at another educational institution desperately in need of reform: Chicago State University.
Vallas will need to wield that fiscal sledgehammer in his new role starting Monday. And he'll need that fearless, no-nonsense attitude at a university with a long history of mismanagement, cronyism and academic failure.
Here's what CSU can count on: Vallas will focus on educating students. On boosting graduation rates. On sweeping aside sclerotic policies and patronage hires from previous regimes.
Vallas and other new board members named by Gov. Bruce Rauner — Chicago attorneys Tiffany Harper and Nicholas Gowen and World Sport Chicago Executive Director Kam Buckner — face a daunting challenge to rescue CSU. The university could exhaust its financial reserves before the end of the academic year, forcing more cuts unless there's an infusion of state cash.
In recent days more bad news, borne of years of cronyism and mismanagement: The cash-parched university agreed to pay more than $1 million to end a lawsuit brought by former high-ranking administrator Glenn Meeks, who claimed he was fired after reporting alleged misconduct by the school's former president, Wayne Watson.
The university itself could be on the hook for a potential settlement of $5 million or more to former university attorney James Crowley, who also alleged misconduct by Watson. CSU's insurer paid the Meeks bill, but the insurance company argues it isn't responsible to pay the still-to-be-decided Crowley settlement because the university's policy does not cover claims stemming from a "fraudulent or dishonest act or a willful violation of any statute, rule or law." If so, where would that $5 million-plus come from? Presumably from funds the university could have used to educate students and improve its abysmal graduation rates.
Remember, CSU also shelled out $600,000 last fall to oust former president Thomas Calhoun Jr., who'd spent only nine months on the job. Why? The board never offered an explanation. Meanwhile, the university is painting an optimistic portrait of its future to attract students — including, possibly, a football team someday.
Last fall, we urged Gov. Rauner to fire CSU board members who voted to oust Calhoun without a candid public explanation and to demolish the status quo. The appointment of Vallas and his colleagues to the eight-member board, assuming they're gung-ho for reform, is a terrific start.
But this won't be a quick fix. Nor can Vallas & Co. count on a windfall of state funding to help. Around the state, many universities are tightening their belts and warning that they'll barely limp through the academic year because the state's budget stalemate has crimped the flow of cash to higher education.
That's why we believe Chicago State's newly energized board should explore another option: A full-blown takeover by a stronger university. One candidate we've heard floated: the University of Illinois at Chicago.
We've long wondered whether the state should reform its university and community college system along the lines of what's done in Wisconsin and New York. Right now, dozens of Illinois schools with top-heavy administration expenses chase state dollars and students. But a more consolidated system could hold top university brass accountable for financial mismanagement and academic failure — and reward success in helping students learn and graduate.
Illinois once had a more centralized system. But in 1995, the General Assembly broke up what was known as the "system of systems" — four governing boards representing 12 universities — in favor of local control. That added five more governing boards. The goal: reduce administrative costs and increase accountability. The result: none of the above.
Vallas has deep experience in reviving faltering school systems to better serve students. Get ready, CSU. The sledgehammer is going to swing.
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leatherface
- Posts: 423
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:42 pm
I believe that centralization will become reality in the not too distant future. University of Illinois-Western, would be a nice ring. Not in favor of University of Illinois-Macomb, from a marketing, perception and image view.
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Tere North
- Posts: 1152
- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:59 pm
If we were centralized, I highly doubt the UofI-Western name would arise give the other UoI campuses are all named by their host city.
However, what about a redefining approach, instead of continued mediocrity trying to be all things to all people, how about considering something like the very successful transition made from NEMO to Truman State?
However, what about a redefining approach, instead of continued mediocrity trying to be all things to all people, how about considering something like the very successful transition made from NEMO to Truman State?
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leatherface
- Posts: 423
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:42 pm
A good idea, Tere. My wife and I went to grad school at then Northeast Missouri, and participated somewhat when the name was changed to reflect the changed mission- from a regional state school, to a school designated by the Missouri State Legislature as the official Liberal Arts University in Missouri. It also became the only designated "highly selective" public university in Missouri. So, there is be a big difference compared to a centralized name change.
SW Missouri in Springfield wanted to be called Missouri State, as did NE Missouri at the time. SW based on their size, and NE because of their new designation encompassing the entire state. Politics took over, and settled giving NE the ability to name themselves in such a way that would represent themselves as something other than a regional school while SW took the Missouri State name.
SW Missouri in Springfield wanted to be called Missouri State, as did NE Missouri at the time. SW based on their size, and NE because of their new designation encompassing the entire state. Politics took over, and settled giving NE the ability to name themselves in such a way that would represent themselves as something other than a regional school while SW took the Missouri State name.
A move to a centralized, one operating system in Illinois does not necessarily mean that the existing universities have to change their names. We could stay "Western Illinois University".Tere North wrote:If we were centralized, I highly doubt the U of I-Western name would arise give the other U of I campuses are all named by their host city.
For example, the University of North Carolina operates 17 campuses. Some are known as "UNC-(host city)" such as UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Asheville, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC- Wilmington, etc.
While others have unique names such as Appalachian State, Winston-Salem State, North Carolina State, Western Carolina, Eastern Carolina, etc.
Eastern Illinois University may eliminate 5 academic majors.
From the Associated Press:
The president of Eastern Illinois University says up to five academic majors could be eliminated.
EIU President David Glassman says the move isn't because of the lack of a state budget. Instead he says it's because the Charleston campus has seen dropping enrollments. The affected majors include bachelor's degrees in African studies, philosophy, adult and community education, and career and technical education, and a master's in special education.
The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports EIU's board of trustees would make a final decision, possibly at its April meeting.
Glassman told the university's faculty senate on Tuesday that he wants to see the school's enrollment rebound to 9,000 from the current 7,500 students. He says he wants to see enrollment recover "as fast as we possibly can."
From the Associated Press:
The president of Eastern Illinois University says up to five academic majors could be eliminated.
EIU President David Glassman says the move isn't because of the lack of a state budget. Instead he says it's because the Charleston campus has seen dropping enrollments. The affected majors include bachelor's degrees in African studies, philosophy, adult and community education, and career and technical education, and a master's in special education.
The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports EIU's board of trustees would make a final decision, possibly at its April meeting.
Glassman told the university's faculty senate on Tuesday that he wants to see the school's enrollment rebound to 9,000 from the current 7,500 students. He says he wants to see enrollment recover "as fast as we possibly can."
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sealhall74
- Posts: 5985
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
- Location: Wherever, Windblows
If I am EIU or any university for that matter, I would not be eliminating Philosophy programs from the agenda. We live in a world where political actions seem to be driven mostly by emotion rather than logic and reasoning - not a pleasant place to be right now. A little Philosophy 101 would go along way in bringing this budget battle to and end.
Embrace the pace of the race.
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Tere North
- Posts: 1152
- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:59 pm
It's not Philosophy as a course that is being eliminated, but as a major as there are simply too few students who chose to major in Philosophy, the same with the other eliminated majors.sealhall74 wrote:If I am EIU or any university for that matter, I would not be eliminating Philosophy programs from the agenda. We live in a world where political actions seem to be driven mostly by emotion rather than logic and reasoning - not a pleasant place to be right now. A little Philosophy 101 would go along way in bringing this budget battle to and end.
WIU back in session amidst budget concerns.
From tonight's WGEM News:
http://www.wgem.com/story/34292593/2017 ... t-concerns
From tonight's WGEM News:
http://www.wgem.com/story/34292593/2017 ... t-concerns