By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Illinois State University president Larry Dietz hopes to bend the ear of lawmakers this week to try to bring about some resolution to the state budget impasse that’s now in its 10th month.

Dietz will testify at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Dietz on WJBC.

“We’re not asking (lawmakers) to cross aisles necessarily, we are asking people to get out of their seat and stand in the aisle and have a good discussion and try to resolve this for the betterment of the citizens of the state and their sons and daughters who are trying to attend quality institutions like Illinois State,” Dietz said.

Dietz told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the financial uncertainty prompted by the lack of a budget will cause students and educators to consider going elsewhere.

“The lack of financial stability in the state for higher education, in my estimation is tarnishing our brand,” Dietz said.

ISU continues to credit student’ accounts for MAP grants which the state has stopped funding. That was part of an $88 million package the university received from the state last year.

Dietz said while the lack of state funding has hurt, ISU has withstood the loss through spending conservatively, maintaining a good credit rating with strong graduation and retention rates and increasing private fundraising.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].