UI trustees approved a preliminary operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year at their May 31 meeting at UIC, although it’s unclear exactly how much funding the university will receive from the state.
Trustees approved the preliminary budget to keep the university operating legally after fiscal 2012 ends June 30. The resolution authorizes expenditures based on this year’s funding levels, which totaled $5 billion for the three-campus university.
The university could face a $42.5 million reduction – more than 6 percent – in state appropriations for the next fiscal year, said Walter Knorr, the chief financial officer and university vice president.
“We have to find opportunities to reduce our costs,” said trustee Edward McMillan. “We can’t do it totally through revenue.”
Statewide funding for the Monetary Award Program, a state financial aid fund, could be reduced by $15 million, Knorr said.
“We don’t know how much MAP funding is coming to the university,” he said.
The state still owes the university more than $250 million in payments for the current fiscal year, Knorr said.
A final operating budget for fiscal 2013, which begins July 1, is expected to be considered at the board’s September meeting in Urbana.
Other business
Trustees approved several Urbana campus appointments: Ilesanmi Adesida, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost (beginning Aug. 16); Peter Schiffer, the vice chancellor for research (beginning Aug. 16); Debasish Dutta, interim vice chancellor for research (until Aug. 16); James D. Anderson, the acting dean, College of Education; John G. Groce, head men’s basketball coach; and Matthew M. Bollant, head women’s basketball coach.
The board approved plans for a $22.9 million proposed addition and renovation to the Chemistry Annex Building. The project will add 52,000 square feet to the building and address safety and accessibility issues.
