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TechnographIncrease in tuition coming
Memo: students to pay additional $700 next year/ Decline in state funding precipitates need for hike
By Kiyoshi Martinez
Posted: 3/14/06 Section: News
Blagojevich spokesperson Lena Parsons from the Illinois Office of Management and Budget said the reduction in funding during 2004 was because of a historic $5 billion deficit, but that funding for core programs for the neediest students were not reduced and that the University has helped to reduce administrative costs that do not directly impact students.
"Everyone, whether it's the Board of Higher Education or the University or … anyone else, has been doing their part," Parsons said. "Education has always been a key commitment of the governor."
During the 2006 fiscal year, the University received $697.9 million from the state. If the state were to fund the University at the same level during the 2007 fiscal year, the University would require $725.7 million just to cover the inflation rate - assuming no other cost increases, meaning the University would need an additional $17.5 million.
Parsons said the governor's budget proposal has always taken the recommendation from the IBHE and this year added an additional $2 million to it.
Executive Director of the IBHE Judy Erwin confirmed this practice and said that the IBHE has to juggle all the budget requests from public universities, community colleges and scholarship funds and weigh that against what higher education is likely to receive from the governor's office.
"Do they have more needs than that? Absolutely," Erwin said. "Unfortunately, because of limited revenue … we have to prioritize what the needs are."
University Trustee David V. Dorris said these are tough times for the University and for the people in the state government.
"The people in Springfield are in a vise and one of the pressure relief points is us, at the University," Dorris said. "Do I want to beat up on them? No."
White also said that he was not disappointed with the governor's budget proposal and that an increase in appropriations was very welcome after four years of cuts and no increases.
"Everyone, whether it's the Board of Higher Education or the University or … anyone else, has been doing their part," Parsons said. "Education has always been a key commitment of the governor."
During the 2006 fiscal year, the University received $697.9 million from the state. If the state were to fund the University at the same level during the 2007 fiscal year, the University would require $725.7 million just to cover the inflation rate - assuming no other cost increases, meaning the University would need an additional $17.5 million.
Parsons said the governor's budget proposal has always taken the recommendation from the IBHE and this year added an additional $2 million to it.
Executive Director of the IBHE Judy Erwin confirmed this practice and said that the IBHE has to juggle all the budget requests from public universities, community colleges and scholarship funds and weigh that against what higher education is likely to receive from the governor's office.
"Do they have more needs than that? Absolutely," Erwin said. "Unfortunately, because of limited revenue … we have to prioritize what the needs are."
University Trustee David V. Dorris said these are tough times for the University and for the people in the state government.
"The people in Springfield are in a vise and one of the pressure relief points is us, at the University," Dorris said. "Do I want to beat up on them? No."
White also said that he was not disappointed with the governor's budget proposal and that an increase in appropriations was very welcome after four years of cuts and no increases.
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