A $2.2 million budget shortfall in the university’s operating budget because of a poor state economy was discussed at Friday’s Council of University Planning and Budget meeting.

Faculty Senate member David Carpenter, English professor, and other members from the senate’s Executive Committee attended the CUPB meeting and reported the budget findings at Tuesday’s Faculty Senate meeting.

Jeff Cooley, vice president for business affairs, told the CUPB that the university has held back money from repairs and renovations in anticipation of a shortfall.

Carpenter said interim President Lou Hencken confirmed the budget was still short even after factoring in funds brought in by the largest freshman class in Eastern’s history.

Carpenter also said there was no breakdown on where the $2.2 million is, and that tuition money can be used for salaries, where as renovation money cannot.

At the senate meeting, Carpenter proposed a sub-committee for the presidential area be created, especially now that athletics is included in this area since athletics take up a “big chunk” of the budget.

Eastern faced a similar budget crisis last fiscal year when Gov. George Ryan called back $2.3 million in state funds. Administrators dealt with the shortfall last year by draining reserve accounts and postponing deferred maintenance.

*News editor Jamie Fetty contributed to this report