By Jennifer Fuller & IL Public Radio
Carterville & Springfield, IL – Eleven people will lose their jobs at John A Logan College because of the ongoing budget crisis in Illinois.
College President Robert Mees says five faculty members will be out of work at the end of this semester, and six other staffers will be cut in June.
Mees says Tuesday night's decision by the Board of Trustees was one of the hardest things he's been a part of over decades in educational administration... and he's frustrated with lawmakers in Springfield.
The state currently owes Logan $6 million, and Mees says they don't expect that money before the end of this fiscal year.
In addition to the layoffs, the college has cut travel, athletics and other discretionary spending. Students may have a four-day week during the upcoming summer semester. And workers at the satellite campuses in DuQuoin and West Frankfort will see a reduction in their hours.
Higher education in Illinois faces a cloudy financial outlook. And that could have a huge impact on students.
Judy Erwin is Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. She told a legislative panel schools are contemplating raising tuition and making cuts... including eliminating faculty positions. She says students will suffer. "What it means is that there will not be sections probably available that some students will want. There will not be the sections offered in courses because there won't be the faculty to teach them."
Erwin says that might lead to fewer students attending college.... and adds that could eventually affect the number of people with advanced degrees entering the workforce and paying taxes.
