WIU President tells NAACP lack of state budget impacting higher education - Stephen Elliott, Quad Cities Online

Speaking before the festivities, Dr. Thomas said Illinois' lack of a budget has resulted in serious challenges for students seeking an education at a public university. "For the 12th month, we (WIU) have not seen a state appropriation, which has really hurt all of higher education, not just Western Illinois University," Dr. Thomas said. "What it says is education is only for those who can afford it, for the wealthy. An institution like Western Illinois, we are a public institution. "We take pride in the fact that we provide access, and we are affordable. With things happening in the state since 2002, we've had reduction after reduction. We've had to increase tuition, room and board. http://www.qconline.com/news/local/wiu-president-tells-naacp-lack-of-state-budget-impacting-higher/article_ae57785f-0cfc-50f9-b18d-4a95b4351b6f.html