SIU President Randy Dunn says there are challenges ahead – but he has big plans for the system.
In his annual “State of the System” address, Dunn outlined financial pressures that will continue to affect SIU, including the state budget.
“A new “Tier 3” hybrid pension plan, part of the deal that ended the budget impasse, needs to be written—and that has major implications for future recruitment and retention of highly talented faculty and staff.”
But Dunn says he’s not focusing on the fiscal hurdles – he’s forging ahead with a new plan he calls “Great Schools/SI,” an expansion of the education work SIU already provides across the region.
“SIUE’s East St. Louis Charter High School, the system’s role in helping to resurrect the regional P-20 Council for deep southern Illinois, preschool programs, the fact that SIUC serves as the university affiliate for the state’s K-12 leadership organizations and the rural schools association.”
Dunn says “Great Schools/SI” will be a collaboration helping to prep not only the next teachers, but also prepare area students for higher education and the workforce – and bolster programs that may need more support from SIU.
