Illinois State University leaders are urging the campus to commit to change and remain flexible as the university implements a new budgeting process that could significantly re-allocate program funds.
Less than a month ago, ISU President Aondover Tarhule highlighted continuing financial challenges the institution faces during his State of the University address. He did that again Friday at a board of trustees meeting. Trustees chair Kathryn Bohn also emphasized the new budgeting process ISU is implementing will not make challenges vanish and does nothing to create new revenue.
“We understand some choices will be difficult and that compromises will be necessary, but we strongly encourage the administration and all campus constituents to remain resolutely focused on the university’s long-term fiscal resilience,” said Bohn.
She said the new systems will offer greater transparency in financial processes and improve monitoring systems to identify and respond to financial risks.
Tarhule said the three public declarations of the need for fiscal caution are not a harbinger of future painful cuts in addition to ones already implemented.
“What chair Bohn and I would like to do is really press home to all university constituents the necessity for not being complacent," said Tarhule.
Software and consulting
Also Friday, trustees approved spending $1.75 million over two years on budgeting software. Current university budgets involve multiple platforms and tables. Tarhule said this makes managing and integrating data difficult. Planners now use spreadsheets to develop operating and capital budgets, which prevents mid-year checks on spending by units. The software package would end those silos and make quarterly checks on spending possible.
"So, the CFO from his desk will be able to call up any budget for any unit across the university so we can track how we're doing and save a lot of time and errors associated with the different units each keeping their own spreadsheets," said Tarhule.
The vendor also promises the product has capacity for multi-year planning, and scenario modeling.
Consulting
As part of development of the new budgeting model, ISU had hired a consulting firm. Trustees approved retaining the consultant at a price up to $375,000. Tarhule estimated those services will be needed only over the next six months until new processes take hold.
"As you know, it's very hard for people to change the way they are used to doing things. That's part of the help they are going to give us, and communication," he said.
The consultant also will develop training materials and help draft new policies and guidelines on unit spending.
Melinda Fischer
Trustees approved naming the field at the Miriam Kneer Stadium after legendary softball coach Melinda Fischer. Fischer amassed 1,159 wins in 37 seasons, and is the winningest head coach in ISU and Missouri Valley Conference history.
“I think of her as a true Redbird and someone we should all aspire to be as Redbirds,” said Bohn. "She has given so much to ISU and she continues to be involved at ISU. If you go to many functions, you see Melinda here.”
Fischer said the award is more than about her. It’s about all the people before her who gave her an opportunity, and about all the people associated with the program over decades.
Fischer said it was overwhelming that 125 friends and supporters contributed to the naming fund. She said it’s a marker of the culture of an institution that names things for the people who have been a part of its life, not just benefactors.
“It just says so much about loyalty and respect. It’s the type of university that it is. I love this place. It’s my home. It’s my family and it just makes me feel that every time I step back on this campus that I do belong here,” said Fischer.
Fischer spent 47 years at ISU from undergraduate student to graduate student and coaching.
Projects
Trustees authorized other spending, including $850,000 to remodel the Linkins Dining Center Dish Room and $2 million for a new video board at Hancock Stadium.
