Some university committee members might have been hit with a feeling of deja vu last week.

On Friday, the Council on University Planning and Budget was the last group to hear a summary delivered by interim President Lou Hencken regarding Eastern’s budget crunch.

Hencken told the advisory council Eastern could lose a combined $4.1 million from this year’s budget.

Last month, Gov. Rod Blagojevich requested state public universities set aside 8 percent of their operating budget, totaling $113 million across higher education schools and agencies.

Eastern’s $4.1 million comes from 2 percent already in reserve on top of 15 areas to possibly lose funds.

The governor asked monies simply be set aside until the state requests them, but $475,000 of equipment costs would be the first to go.

Last to be cut would be up to $800,000 in summer school, from cutting classes, Hencken said.

“One of the comments we made so far is sometimes this changes hourly,” he said.

Laying off employees is not generally a solution because the individuals go from one state payroll to another: the university to unemployment. And morale decreases, followed by spending in the economy, Hencken said.

Another cut will likely come from $500,000 saved in closing some university buildings until the end of the fiscal year in June.

Starting mid-May, air conditioning will be partially shut off Fridays after noon. Even though the temperature will raise about 10 degrees, classes will not be affected.

“To my knowledge, I don’t think we offered more than one or two courses on Friday afternoon,” he said. The CUPB also discussed a list of strengths and opportunities of the university.

The list gives council members a chance to work together on a positive venture, said Anne Zahlan, English professor and council member.

The strengths will now be submitted to the president and others.

Items named emphasized such aspects as diversity, class size, faculty/student ratio and campus appearance.

Physical Facilities are involved in a 15-year master plan for construction and improvement. That fact was listed as a strength.

“We have goals so we know where we’re going and what we’re going to do in the future,” said Carol Strode, interim director of facilities planning and management and CUPB member.

Eastern’s ranking in U.S. News and World Report, high student retention rate and high level of alumni satisfaction with the university were other specific points.

The CUPB also is working on a list of university weaknesses and threats.