ISU president delivers State of the University address

Posted on September 20, 2024

*Illinois State University president Dr. Aondover Tarhule. (Facebook/Illinois State University)*

NORMAL – Illinois State University President Dr. Aondover Tarhule gave his State of the University Address on Thursday.

“It is a profound honor to stand before you today as we reflect on the state of our university and the future of higher education,” he said.

Tarhule said the university is receiving less funding from the state. He said Illinois State University has weathered these changes, but he expects they will feel the impact in several years.

Across the nation, he said universities have been raising tuition to cover budget shortfalls. The university is reaching the point where the state and tuition funding will not cover the operating expenses.

“As president, I am responsible for leading our institution through these troubling times, I accept this responsibility and challenge,” Tarhulu said.

Tarhulu said the university is taking three steps to help with the budget:

Seek the board of trustees’ approval to engage an external consultant to provide recommendations on fiscal processes and a new budget model.
Announce the formation of a RISE task force that is cross-divisional and includes shared government partners.
Takes steps to strengthen financial outlook by reducing expenditures and examine policies.

He also highlighted that total enrollment is up 2.7% from last year.

Tarhulu said the university’s economic impact includes 9,702 jobs and generates about $187.9 million in local, state and federal taxes.

The whole address can be watched here.

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