SIU possibly facing deeper budget, job cuts - Chris Hottensen, the Southern

Deeper budget cuts and job reductions are on the horizon for SIU if the temporary tax increase is not extended by the state legislature. SIU President Glenn Poshard advised the SIU Board of Trustees Wednesday that Gov. Pat Quinn will propose a 12.4 percent decrease in appropriations to the university if the tax increase is not made permanent. A 12.4 percent decrease would cut $17.5 million from the university's state appropriations, create a $13.5 million budget deficit for the school and eliminate an estimated 225 jobs. The cuts would also cost the SIU School of Medicine $4.7 million and 62 jobs, according to Poshard. That's not the best-case scenario, but it's also not the worst. In three House and Senate Appropriations Committee hearings, legislators warned of a 20 percent reduction in appropriations to the universities. The 20 percent scenario would lead to the elimination of 325 jobs. http://thesouthern.com/news/local/siu/siu-possibly-facing-deeper-budget-job-cuts/article_3b8be14f-6ab6-5cad-a8b5-0d35bd69f5a3.html