SIU Trustees say they're working to bring equity to the distribution of state funding between campuses - voting Thursday to split new money 50/50.
Critics of that split say it still favors one campus over another - an argument that boiled over in 2018. But Board Chair Phil Gilbert says as trustees work on a new formula for how to distribute the money, this was the best path forward.
"We're trying to be fair here. There's no question Carbondale's going to have to reduce some of their footprint. We have an infrastructure for over 20,000 students - 24,000 students at one time - and we have half that now."
Gilbert says assigning the 50/50 split only to new money holds each campus harmless, meaning they won't receive less than the year before.
Campus chancellors say they'll work with a new ad-hoc committee on how to create a funding allocation formula - something Gilbert and others hope to have ready for consideration in the next few months.
SPRINGFIELD POTENTIAL
Meanwhile, leaders say there is renewed momentum for an expansion of the School of Law in Springfield, along with collaboration with other entities in the capitol city.
The university's Board of Trustees heard from Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter during their meeting Thursday, who voiced strong support for the plan - and encouraged them to move quickly to take advantage of opportunities that may be available.
Interim SIU President Kevin Dorsey says while there was talk earlier this year about a potential building downtown for SIU, the conversations lately have grown.
"It could be more than just a single building. Again, getting partners involved here, whether it's the Discovery Partners Institute, and initiatives on the Edwardsville and Carbondale campuses, and the Medical School. They're not thinking small."
Dorsey and others say SIU is in conversations with the University of Illinois and others to potentially collaborate on space - but they're quick to point out they don't intend to duplicate what others are already doing in Springfield.
The potential Law School expansion would include students seeking law degrees, but would also provide for continuing education for attorneys and judges in central Illinois.
