By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – State universities are among those receiving money from the state as a result of Thursday’s stopgap budget.
Combined with the money received from the state in April, Illinois State University is getting about $59 million from the state, according to Chief of Staff Jay Groves.
“It will allow us to get through the school year without the threat of layoffs and furlough days,” said Groves. “We see another strong enrollment for fall coming, so that’s always very good for the university also.”
Groves added MAP grants are also being funded for the upcoming year. ISU had been fronting that money for its students over the last school year.
“It’s basically a reimbursement. For Illinois State University, it was about $14 million this year,” said Groves. “We effectively gave the money to the students, hoping that the state would be able to reimburse us.”
Groves said Illinois State made it through the last school year “strong and stable,” despite the fact it had not been receiving much money from the state.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
