The state is asking Eastern to stash away a percentage of its budget double the expected amount, and interim President Lou Hencken said he has no immediate idea where the funds would be removed.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education held a hearing for university executives Monday. The purpose was to report on the effects schools would feel in meeting Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s request two weeks ago to set aside 8 percent of the operating budget for the current fiscal year ending in June.

Even with the current state budget deficit, the request was unexpected, Hencken said.

He said it is made especially difficult since costs, including faculty compensation, are in place with the semester in the ninth week.

“We can’t do a thing about the classes we’re in now,” he said. “Our choices are very limited as we go every day through the semester.”

Hencken said other university presidents shared similar feelings of a potential 8 percent cut, saying: “that’s about as close to as impossible as you can say.”

No action was taken Monday.

Now what?

Hencken said the next step is gathering campus feedback.

A meeting of faculty and student senate members and other university representatives will be held this week to hear ideas of where spending can be cut.

“I’m going to try to keep the campus as informed as I possibly can,” he said. “I’m going to try to get as much input as I can from these groups and work accordingly.”

The university did expect 4 percent to be devoted to reserve, even with increased heating costs this winter.

Of that reserve, 2 percent, or about 1.8 million will go to state health insurance costs, an expense approved at the January Board of Trustees meeting.

The other 2 percent is on reserve from university positions left unfilled.

“So we were expecting that,” Hencken said.

If the state does demand the 8 percent, funds would have to come from deferred maintenance, possible capital improvement projects or even a cut in summer school courses, Hencken said.

For cost effectiveness, summer courses could be taught with a set minimum of students.

“I think we’re going to have to take a long hard look at every project that is not committed,” he said.

Jeff Cooley, vice president for business affairs, confirmed deferred maintenance would account for a “substantial portion” of monies reserved.

Hencken said Eastern could give back 2 percent, but universities made their case to the IBHE.

“My opinion was we a did a very credible job of reasons why we need to keep the dollars we have,” he said.

As far as a definite solution if the governor’s suggestion becomes a reality: “I really can’t guess,” Hencken said.

The 8 percent would total about $113 million across higher education schools and agencies.

Fall tuition hikes are on hold until Blagojevich’s state spending plan is announced and his budget address in April.

Monday’s hearing was only one sign of the state’s budget woes.

“It does appear we are going to have a call back,” Hencken said.