Northeastern Illinois University’s Commencement Caps A Stormy Year

NEIU establishing shot
Northeastern Illinois University Courtesy of Northeastern Illinois University / Flickr
NEIU establishing shot
Northeastern Illinois University Courtesy of Northeastern Illinois University / Flickr

Northeastern Illinois University’s Commencement Caps A Stormy Year

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Northeastern Illinois University’s commencement this afternoon is capping off a stormy year. Earlier this spring, the school had put faculty and staff on reduced hours — and reduced pay — because of the state budget impasse.

A stopgap funding bill last month allowed Northeastern to suspend the pay reductions. But— at least officially— that’s only temporary. University President Sharon Hahs says she hopes she’ll be able to keep everyone on full-time, just with careful budgeting. However, she has formally told faculty and staff that the cuts would come back in July. In a normal year, the university would’ve gotten about three times as much money as Springfield has provided this year.