Regional Fallout: SIU cuts may have ripple effects - Sarah Halasz Graham, the Southern

Programs such as Southern Illinois University Press, the Small Business Development Center, University Museum and Continuing Education — all of which offer programs and services to the broader Southern Illinois region — have been asked to brace for tightened purse strings next year. And in a region whose economy gets a nearly $900 million bump annually from SIU, experts anticipate those proposed cuts will reverberate financially from Cairo to Carmi. “The loss would be felt tremendously throughout the entire footprint of Southern Illinois,” said SIU President Randy Dunn. “For a state university, and one that is as large a presence in its region like SIU Carbondale is, I think it has a huge impact. We create a great deal of the quality of life that we enjoy here.” http://thesouthern.com/news/local/education/regional-fallout-siu-cuts-may-have-ripple-effects/article_8264016f-2ccc-54c3-83f4-69a2c569c12a.html