Aondover Tarhule

Illinois State University's board of trustees on Friday approved a new $600.4 million operating budget — the first since a major overhaul to ISU's budget framework — that includes a surplus.

Illinois State University donors set a record amount for giving in the budget year that ended July 1. ISU took in more than $52 million in private support. It is the sixth straight year of increased donations.

The long-dreaded enrollment cliff for colleges and universities is here. “I think there's still a path to success for us, but we'll have to be nimble,” said ISU admissions chief Jeff Mavros.

The AFSCME Local 1110 president spoke at Friday's ISU Board of Trustees meeting. He said workers are glad to be back at work but are still upset with university leadership. ISU's president said none of the administration viewed the negotiations are personal.

With a combination of state funding and repayment from student fees, the Illinois State University Board of Trustees on Friday approved $84 million in funding for three new STEM facilities. They include a new teaching building, an annex and a greenhouse.

AFSCME said more than 95% of the 300-plus affected workers who cast votes approved the deal.

Gov. JB Pritzker said he wants Illinois State University and the AFSCME union to come back to the negotiating table as the strike enters its fourth week. "It seems like there is a deal to be made," he said.

Glen Nelson, vice president of finance and planning at Illinois State University, said the union and ISU continue to have three sticking points concerning back pay and future salary raises. ISU has said it has already offered the union its best and final deal.

On day 17 of the AFSCME Local 1110 strike, union representatives presented the president of Illinois State University with nearly 7,000 petition signatures urging his negotiation of a fair deal. A state senator on campus said the strike is "putting pressure on us as legislators as well."

At an Illinois House committee hearing in Springfield on Thursday, Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule requested more state funding as striking employees also in attendance claimed ISU was not negotiating with them in good faith.