The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

New task force to begin budget planning

Ben Botkin

Daily Egyptian

With an unknown budget next year and new legislators soon to arrive in Springfield, plans are underway at SIUC for a task force aimed at preparing the University for possible funding decreases and developing a long-term vision for the future.

The SIUC administration is forming a new Task Force for Budget Planning that will have representatives of various campus groups who will review budget plans that were submitted to SIUC Chancellor Walter Wendler in November.

In a memo Wendler sent to deans and department heads in July, he asked them to look for ways to trim costs. Each department and college was required to send suggestions to the Provost's office by Nov. 22.

Members of the task force will examine those plans, which may be used to reduce budgets by up to 5 percent in the current year and an additional 5 percent during the next four years.

Since it is unknown how much, if any, the University's budget could be affected by a potential reduction in state funds next year, Wendler said preparation is essential.

If the state funding isn't reduced by 5 percent, the exercise still will have proven to be an important means of evaluating the University's resources and looking for ways to improve long-term quality, Wendler said.

"My feeling is we need to plan ahead with this," he said.

Two representatives will come from the Faculty Senate, two from the Graduate Council and one apiece from the Deans' Council, Faculty Association, Civil Service Council and Administrative-Professional Staff Council.

Wendler asked for names of four candidates from each group to be submitted by Friday and plans to name members by the end of the month.

Additionally, students will have the opportunity for input, with one representative coming from Undergraduate Student Government and another from the Graduate and Professional Student Council.

Student leaders said they were glad for the opportunity to give input.

"We're pleased with that," said Neal Young, vice-president of USG. "That's all we wanted ˜ for all the groups to be able to give input.

Amy Sileven, president of GPSC, agreed.

"It seems like we all have fair representation," she said.

Reporter Ben Botkin can be reached at bbotkin@dailyegyptian.com

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