The Illinois State University Board of Trustees approved new security equipment and a request for the 2028 operating budget during its quarterly meeting Friday.
2028 budget request
ISU's board is looking for state money to help fund five major capital projects. Trustees approved a budget request that it plans to submit to the Illinois Board of Higher Education [IBHE].
The university is seeking $412.5 million designated for major capital projects and $105 million for operating expenses for fiscal year 2028.
Capital projects include the replacement of both ISU lab schools and rehabilitation of Williams Hall, DeGarmo Hall and Milner Library.
Of that, $120 million would be designated for Williams Hall, which was the university library when first built in 1940. Selective demolition will allow a program-specific addition. The interior will be updated. The project will replace the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Remodeling will correct code deficiencies, remove asbestos, repair or replace the slate roof and renew the building’s architectural significance.
DeGarmo is in need of work on its “curtain wall” exterior, which has become difficult to maintain for the home of ISU’s College of Education. It also has an outdated interior in need of reconfiguration for a more modernized and spacious building. In all, $60 million would be designated for DeGarmo, which dates back to 1972.
Another $60 million would be designated for Milner Library, allowing for an approximately 140,000-square-foot addition to house book stacks, study areas, library processing and support spaces and high-density storage of library materials. This would turn Milner into a curricularly integrated learning center. Other additions would include more computer areas and an access-way for a path from the north side of campus to the Quad. In addition to development of student study group areas and staff work areas, HVAC [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] will also be enhanced.
The Thomas Metcalf School building dates back to 1955 and University High to 1965. The university budgeted $50 million for Metcalf and $80 million for U-High.
The operating request for 2028 represented a $22 million, 26.5% increase, from the prior year’s request to IBHE. $14 million was to replenish foregone revenue resulting from the application of state-mandated waivers. These included special education, veterans’ grants and scholarships, children of employees, ROTC and DCFS. The university said IBHE funding would alleviate the burden these programs otherwise place on tuition paid by other students. The other $8 million came equally from needs for financial aid for students with the highest financial need as well as targeted expansion efforts of high-need disciplines within the State of Illinois.
Security measures
Meanwhile, ISU's Board of Trustees approved a $307,103 purchase for training and installation of six portable Xtract One advanced weapons detection systems. Annual maintenance of the equipment costs an additional $76,080 per year, at a fixed rate over five years.
The detection systems could be used for any major indoor and outdoor events on campus, including sporting events at Hancock Stadium and CEFCU Arena, graduations and events held at the Bone Student Center or Braden Auditorium.
“They look like the walk-through metal detectors that we've had forever,” said Eric Hodges, director of emergency management. “So these are just new versions of that, and they will be out front of the venues.”
Prior to the purchase, the university only had three, nonportable metal detectors at the Bone Student Center. They were more than 10 years old. The new portables are not metal detectors and instead use advanced screening technology to identify firearms and other prohibited weapons. This means guests will not need to empty their pockets to go through security.
“What's great about these is there wouldn't be a bottleneck. They're a complete walkthrough, you don't slow down, you don't take anything out,” said Hodges.
The detection systems are expected to be in use by the final home game of the ISU football season and also used for the on-campus IHSA football finals and commencement. The same detection systems were recently used during the World Cup. They will be used at an estimated 60-80 events throughout the year.
Teaching assistants
A leader of the union that represents graduate student workers also addressed ISU's board Friday, pleading for "empathy" as they seek a new contract with pay raises.
Moab Croft, a second-year master’s student in the physics program at ISU, said he's a steward with the Graduate Workers Union, or SEIU Local 73. The union's contract expired in June, and Croft said they've been negotiating a new deal with ISU since January. Croft said they're seeking 3% raises that would cost ISU about $100,000 a year.
"But we are told it's too much," Croft said.
Croft laid out the financial pressures facing ISU's graduate workers — sometimes known as teaching assistants, or TAs — because of broader affordability issues and their ISU wages. Croft said the $1,500 per month that TAs receive is barely enough essentials like rent and utilities. Croft said he worked three jobs at one point to make ends meet.
"I believe that the problem we have is one of a lack of empathy by the people who have the ability to make any change," Croft said, addressing the board.
ISU President Aondover Tarhule said during his State of the University speech that ISU would continue to offer raises, despite overall belt tightening for the university concerning the budget.
“We recognize that our faculty and staff are the backbone of Illinois State's success, and that competitive compensation for employees must remain a priority,” said Tarhule.
Other action
Meanwhile, ISU's board approved roughly $2.7 million for repairs necessitated by the storm damage on campus in August. Work needed after the microburst that hit during ISU move-in week included water extraction and flooring and wallboard removal, as well as ongoing reconstruction of walls and floors, technology replacement and exterior prevention enhancements. Damage largely centered around the Quad, including the Center for Visual Arts, State Farm Hall of Business, Old Union and Fell and DeGarmo Hall. The money came from general reserves, with reimbursement expected from insurance.
It also approved authorization of up to $1.3 million for architectural and engineering services for the expansion of the College of Engineering into a second, adjacent building at the Campus East site. Dean Tom Keyser said in July that expansion will be considered when the college surpasses around 700 students, which could be expected as the third and fourth classes for the new college begin being accepted. A program study for the second building is underway, and construction documents are anticipated to begin in late fall 2026, finishing late the following spring.
“The project represents a key step in expanding Campus East as a hub for engineering, academic programs, research, collaboration, and experiential learning,” said Tarhule.
The board also approved rehabilitation to two parking lots on campus, not to exceed $1.3 million. Lots A67 and G67, due east from the Bone Student Center visitor lot at the corner of Locust and Fell, would see work to extend their useful life. The project will replace and resurface pavement, address unstable subgrade conditions, improve grading and drainage and complete curb, pavement marking, erosion control and site restoration. The university will proceed with procurement in the fall, with construction beginning in late spring 2027.
The board also approved the renaming of the ISU Women’s Basketball offices to the Cindy Moore Women’s Basketball Suite. Moore was an ISU softball player and supported ISU athletics as a season-ticket holder and by committing financial support to the university. Additionally, the south gymnasium of Horton Fieldhouse was renamed to the Nancy and Rob Northrip Gymnasium, in recognition of their financial contributions.
It also approved an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters to alum Michelle Williams, who was a member of the former pop and R&B group Destiny’s Child. Williams will receive the degree at the spring 2027 commencement.
