By Illinois Radio Network
CHAMPAIGN – The University of Illinois’ latest request from taxpayers includes almost $100 million more, with most of the money earmarked for raises.
The university calls it a commitment to “strengthen academic quality.”
University leaders want to ask lawmakers for $98 million dollars more next year, so they can spend almost $70 million on raises. This year’s request is for $680 million compared to the $582 million requested last year.
Professors would get a lot of the new money, but not all of it, according to university spokesman Tom Hardy.
“Some of this has been identified as resources that can help us recruit and retain world class faculty members,” Hardy said. “But also it would support salary programs for other employees as well.”
Hardy says the U of I couldn’t offer raises two years ago, and has offered only 3 percent raises since.
Hardy says the school pays attention to the cost that students pay, but says without raises the U of I won’t be competitive for faculty and staff.
“The university is very sensitive to those issues about affordability and accessibility,” Hardy said. “Because one of the things that a lot of prospective students bring up as to why they didn’t attend the University of Illinois, is that high cost.”
Hardy added that the new U of I’s budget already includes about $60 million to help lure top-flight faculty members to the school. This new request, however, is outside of a $3 billion private fundraising goal that could also help boost pay for some university professors and researchers.
