Illinois State to cut number of summer courses offered

NORMAL, Ill. -- Illinois State University officials plan to reduce the number of classes offered in summer school in an effort to cut about $4.1 million from the school's $261 million budget.

The budget reduction represents $3.08 million the school likely will be asked to return to the state for group health insurance and $1.06 million it must hold back from general revenue funds.

In a letter to faculty, staff and student leaders, ISU president Vic Boschini said the school has no plans for layoffs, salary freezes or increases in tuition. Major construction projects will continue, but smaller ones could be delayed.

The cuts could affect up to 1,760 seats, or 22 percent of summer school programs, ISU spokesman Jay Groves said.

He said classes could be canceled after students enroll. About 8,000 students enrolled in summer classes last year.

In addition, ISU officials will "carefully scrutinize" requests for new employees, Groves said.

The cuts come in the wake of an order issued statewide by Gov. George Ryan to make up a $500 million budget shortfall.